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HB 4713

SCH CD-ED LICENSE-COMPUTER SCI

104th Regular Session Introduced by Carol Ammons

Creates an introductory computer science endorsement for Professional Educator License holders to teach CS in grades 5–12, with flexible prep options (up to 8 graduate credits or a

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Bill Summary · HB 4713

Overview

HB4713, introduced in the Illinois 104th General Assembly by Rep. Carol Ammons, would create an introductory content area endorsement in computer science (CS) for Illinois professional educators. The endorsement would allow teachers with a Professional Educator License (PEL) to teach introductory CS courses in grades 5–12. The bill sets specific options for medical preparation, professional development, and credit transfer, and it aligns with ongoing educator licensure rulemaking conducted by the State Board of Education (SBE) in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board (SEPLB).

Main purpose and intent

  • Establish an introductory CS endorsement for PEL holders to teach introductory CS courses to students in grades 5–12.
  • Integrate CS education into Illinois’ licensed teaching workforce by defining preparation requirements and allowing alternatives (professional development) to meet those requirements.
  • Ensure CS endorsement pathways can be counted toward future licensure enhancements, including endorsements for CS.

Key provisions and changes

  • Creation of the introductory CS endorsement (1.5) for the Professional Educator License, enabling teaching of introductory CS in grades 5–12.
  • Preparation requirements:
    • Up to 8 credit hours of graduate-level preparation focused on introductory CS concepts and CS pedagogy.
  • Substitution option:
    • A State Board-approved one-week professional development program in introductory high school CS education can substitute for 4 credit hours of the graduate preparation.
    • The one-week program may count as 4 graduate credits toward the CS preparation requirement.
  • Credit transfer for paraprofessional pathway:
    • Individuals with an Educator License with Stipulations (ELS) who complete the 8 graduate credit hours may count those credits toward the requirements for a Professional Educator License with a CS endorsement.
  • Additional endorsements framework:
    • The bill maintains and expands the regulatory framework for other endorsements (principal, chief school business official, superintendent, teacher leader, special education, and school support personnel), ensuring alignment with current licensure rules and rulemaking processes.
  • Administrative details:
    • Rules for grade-level and content endorsements to be established by the SBE (in consultation with SEPLB).
    • Random audits of educator preparation institutions to ensure compliance with endorsement rules.

Who is affected

  • Teachers holding a Professional Educator License who wish to add an introductory CS endorsement.
  • Educator License with Stipulations holders seeking to qualify for the CS endorsement, including paraprofessional pathways.
  • Educator preparation programs and institutions approved by the State Board of Education that would train and endorse teachers for the CS endorsement.
  • School districts and administrators who would assign teaching responsibilities for introductory CS courses (grades 5–12).
  • State agencies (SBE and SEPLB) overseeing licensure and credentialing processes and professional development requirements.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The endorsement is to be established by rule, with the SBE, in consultation with the SEPLB, setting the grade level and subject endorsements and the specific requirements.
  • The bill specifies that the one-week PD option can substitute for 4 of the graduate credits, potentially expediting the path to endorsement for eligible teachers.
  • The requirements for the CS endorsement (up to 8 graduate credits, with the PD substitute) would be codified and implemented through future rulemaking and audits.
  • Other endorsements and licensure provisions referenced in the bill remain subject to existing statutory and regulatory processes, including rulemaking and testing where applicable.

Summary takeaway

HB4713 would formalize an introductory computer science endorsement for Illinois teachers, enabling qualified educators to teach CS to middle- and high-school students. It sets a compact, flexible preparation path (up to 8 graduate credits or a 1-week PD substitute for 4 credits) and allows credit toward the Professional Educator License with CS endorsement for those on qualifying paraprofessional tracks. The measure emphasizes rule-based implementation by the State Board of Education in partnership with the SEPLB, with ongoing oversight and alignment to other licensure endorsements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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