summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
04/17/2026
04/17/2026
Crossed Over
04/16/2026
04/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Changes the requirements for issuance of a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations as follows: Requires the applicant to be at least 18 years of age and using the Educator License with Stipulations exclusively for grades prekindergarten through 8 until the individual reaches the age of 19 years or be 19 years of age or older and otherwise meet the criteria for a paraprofessional educator endorsement. Requires the applicant to also meet at least one of the following requirements: (i) hold a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and pass a paraprofessional competency test; (ii) hold an associate degree or a minimum of 60 semester hours of credit from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; or (iii) if applicable, have been issued a short-term approval for paraprofessionals and have been employed as a paraprofessional educator for each year the short-term approval is valid, have paid the required license renewal fee, and have been determined by the school district to have met specified competencies. Makes other changes.
AI Summary
This bill amends the School Code to change the requirements for obtaining a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations, which is a type of teaching license that may have limitations or not require a full educator preparation program. Specifically, applicants must now be at least 18 years old and use the license only for prekindergarten through 8th grade until they turn 19, or be 19 or older and meet other criteria. Additionally, applicants must now hold a high school diploma and pass a competency test, possess an associate degree or 60 college credit hours, or have previously held a short-term approval for paraprofessionals, worked as one for each year that approval was valid, paid renewal fees, and been deemed competent by their school district in areas like reinforcing instruction, supporting individualized education programs, and implementing behavior plans.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (9)
Meg Loughran Cappel (D)*,
Natalie Manley (D)*,
Chris Balkema (R),
Lakesia Collins (D),
Sara Feigenholtz (D),
Dale Fowler (R),
Mattie Hunter (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Jil Tracy (R),
Last Action
Referred to Rules Committee (on 04/17/2026)
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