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Process and Timeline

Overview: what is licensure and certification?

*While the ECE license is allows you to teach Ages 0-5 you will only be eligible to be hired in classrooms serving students ages 3-5, and in some instances Kindergarten.

**Your Diverse Learning license allows you to teach ages 5-21, however, you will know in advance of being hired whether or not you will teach in a Elementary (grades 1-8) or High School (grades 9-12) setting.

What does this process entail?

Licensure: This is the "umbrella term" for two-year process of earning and maintaining your teaching license in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. Depending on the subject you are assigned to teach, you will earn certification in the following age/grade ranges:

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  • Early Childhood Education: From birth- 5 years*

  • Elementary: From 1st grade through 6th grade

  • Middle School (General Science, English, Math): From 5th grade through 8th grade

  • High School (English, Biology, Chemistry, Math): From 9th grade -12th grade

  • Diverse Learners: From Kindergarten to 12th grade**

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If you teach in Illinois​

By August 2017 you will hold your Educator License with Stipulations (ELS). This is a temporary license that allows you to teach (with all the same privileges as a traditionally certified teacher) while you complete your University Partner coursework. It is valid for two years and is not renewable.

By August 2019 you will hold your Professional Educators License (PEL). This is the official teaching license of Illinois, it is valid for 5 years and renewable.

 

If you teach in Indiana

By September 2017 you will hold your Transition To Teach license (T2T). This is a temporary license that allows you to teach (with all the same privileges as a traditionally certified teacher) while you complete your University Partner coursework. It is valid for three years and is not renewable.

By June 2018 you will hold your Initial Practitioners license. This is the first, of two, official teaching licenses in Indiana. It is valid for two years and can be converted (should you choose) to the official 5 year teaching license (the Proficient Practitioners license).

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Licensure and certification happens in "5 phases." How long you engage with each of these phases depends on when you confirmed your offer to join the corps. See below for a "birds-eye" look at what to expect:

Questions about this section? Let us know!
What license(s) will you earn?

Phase 1: Introduction to Systems

(1-3 weeks after confirming offer)

  • Familiarize yourself with the Licensure Hub, testing guides, and Onboarding Webinars. 

  • Identify which exams you need to take.

Phase 2: Test Prep

(1-3 months after confirming offer )

  • Register (and study) for your licensure exams

Phase 3: Preparing for Certification

(1-3 months before Summer Training)

  • All exams are passed, Tests scores are sent to Illinois/Indiana (per testing guide)

  • You learn what your University Partner will need to entitle your license

Phase 5: Achieving your full license

(2 year corps commitment)

  • Maintain a 3.0 GPA with your University Partner and all other requirements of the corps.

Phase 4: Preliminary Certification

(June-August 2017)

  • All exams are passed 

  • All registration requirements for your University Partner are met

  • Your ELS or T2T is entitled by your university partner

Overview
Specific Licenses
The Licensure Process
Questions

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