education requirements and all professional education requirements. The applications are submitted online to the Licensure Office via the candidates’ NLU Portal account. Complete the “Request for Professional Educator License, Endorsement or Approval” electronic form at the Student Services tab. For a full description of the licensure process, please use the link https://nl.edu/licensure/instructions/. Upon receipt of the applications, the Licensure Office will hold the applications pending the submission of grades for student teaching. Upon receipt of final grades, the Licensure Office reviews the request for license and recommends the applicants for entitlement with ISBE once all requirements are met. Follow up directions will be sent to the applicants on how to finalize the license with ISBE. ISBE requires e- transcripts be submitted for their files. Please order and have e-transcripts sent directly from NLU to ISBE at transcripts@isbe.net. The timeline for this process varies depending on several factors including the number of applications and the accuracy of the applications. The Licensure Office will contact candidates promptly if there are errors in the application or if additional paperwork is needed. The licensure process can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks on average.
ISBE has the right to change licensure requirements at any time.
Illinois Licensure Tests All Illinois licensure candidates need to pass several tests in order to be eligible for an initial Professional Educator License. It is the candidate’s responsibility to register for these tests and to make sure the tests are taken at the appropriate time in the MAT program. A passing score of 240 on the content test is required to be eligible for a PEL. A score of at least 220 must be on file with NLU before the first day of MGE 505 - Practicum II. If a minimum score of 220 is not on file, the Practicum II/Student Teaching placement will be postponed. Contact the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) at (800) 239-8107 or go to http://www.il.nesinc.com/ for more information including study guides and registration and test dates. The required tests are: • Content-Area Tests for MGE Grades 5 th -8th (#201-204) – must have a minimum score of 220 before the first day of MGE 505 - Practicum II • The Teacher Performance Assessment ( edTPA ) or some similar assessment may have to be passed prior to the end of the student teaching term. More specific information will be shared as soon as the State of Illinois decides on the assessment.
31 / MAT Middle Grades Education Handbook
Powered by FlippingBook