summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
04/21/2026
04/21/2026
Crossed Over
04/16/2026
04/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Provides that beginning with continuing education coursework completed on or after July 1, 2026, a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer that provides for salary advancement for classroom teachers and administrators based on the completion of graduate-level, continuing education credit may recognize continuing education coursework for purposes of salary advancement only if the continuing education coursework meets specified requirements. Provides that nothing in the provisions impairs the ability of the parties to a collective bargaining agreement to negotiate salary schedules or compensation structures, as long as any continuing education coursework recognized for salary advancement complies with the provision requirements beginning with collective bargaining agreements entered into, modified, extended, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that nothing in the provisions requires a school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer to create a salary schedule or salary advancement pathway where one does not otherwise exist. Provides that implementation of the provisions shall be determined by each school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, effective immediately, amends the School Code to establish new requirements for continuing education coursework to be recognized for salary increases for licensed classroom teachers and administrators, beginning with coursework completed on or after July 1, 2026. "Continuing education coursework" is defined as graduate-level courses taken for salary advancement, and these courses must now award "graduate-level, degree-eligible credit" from a regionally accredited institution, result in a letter grade (not just pass/fail), and be taught by an "instructor of record" who holds at least a master's degree, is academically qualified, provides instructional support, and evaluates work with written feedback. The bill clarifies that these provisions do not prevent collective bargaining agreements from negotiating salary schedules, as long as any recognized continuing education coursework meets these new standards in agreements entered into, modified, extended, or renewed on or after the bill's effective date, and it does not require employers to create salary advancement pathways where none exist, with implementation details left to each school district, special education cooperative, or other public educational employer.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Donald P. DeWitte (on 04/23/2026)
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