HR1156 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1156 LRB100 22288 MST 41086 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, In order to become a certified teacher in Illinois, a student must pass a performance-based assessment known as the edTPA; and

WHEREAS, On top of the cost of tuition, the basic skills exam, and other certification requirements, this is an unproven and restrictive exam administered by Pearson Education, Inc.; in addition, there is a $300 fee for taking the edTPA; and

WHEREAS, The edTPA takes away from the classroom experience, the most valid part of the student teaching process, and student teachers are already observed by no less than three educational professionals during classroom time; and

WHEREAS, Preparation for the edTPA can take time away from the normal curriculum and can detract from the overall student-teaching experience, shifting the focus from learning to teaching to pass a test; and

WHEREAS, Previously, The State Board of Education required the APT licensure, another teacher licensure for which there was no research or evidence to support that it was a reliable method for evaluating or choosing teacher candidates; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we encourage the State Board of Education to heavily look at counting student teaching experience, and program requirements and curriculum for teacher licensure, instead of the edTPA and the APT; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to the State Superintendent, the Illinois State Board of Education, and Pearson Education.