How to Become a Private School Teacher in Illinois
There are a number of private schools in Illinois. Learn about the teacher certification process for these institutions, including education and testing requirements, in this article.
Private School Teacher Process in Illinois
If you are interested in teaching at a private school in Illinois, you will need to fulfill the general requirements needed to become a public school teacher in Illinois. The process entails earning a bachelor's degree, meeting a basic skills requirement, and applying for Illinois' Professional Educator License (PEL). Find out more about requirements and salary information below.
| Required Degree | Bachelor's degree with teacher preparation program |
| Testing Requirements | Basic skills assessment, edTPA, and content area test |
| License Renewal | Every five years |
| Renewal Requirements | 120 hours of professional development |
| Average Salary for Teachers in Illinois (2018)* | $62,140 (elementary school) $63,860 (middle school) $72,370 (secondary school) |
| Job Outlook (2016-2026)* | 7-8% teachers nationwide |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Education Requirements
The first step towards earning your PEL includes completing a bachelor's degree through a state-approved teacher preparation program. Your training must include a student teaching assignment, along with required coursework in areas such as reading techniques, content area reading, working with English as a second language students, and working with exceptional students.
Basic Skills Test Requirement
Illinois requires that all teaching candidates pass a basic skills test. You can do this in one of several ways:
- Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP4000): Illinois will accept scores for tests taken prior to June 30, 2019.
- ACT: You will need a composite score of 22 with a writing score of 16 for tests taken before September 9, 2019. For tests taken after, you will need a composite score of 22 with a writing score of 6.
- SAT: You will need a composite score of 1030 (critical writing) and a writing score of 450 for tests taken prior to March 5, 2016. For tests taken after, you must have a composite score of 1110 (math and evidence-based writing and reading) and a score of 26 for language and writing.
- Out-of-state basic skills test: If you passed a verified test of basic skills in another state that led to licensure, you have met this requirement.
Other Assessments
You will need to complete an edTPA teacher performance assessment as part of the testing requirements. Illinois requires a passing score of 35 for most areas of certification, with the exception of 31 for foreign languages and classical languages. You will also need to take a content area test, administered by Pearson, for the subject or age range you plan to teach.
License Registration
After meeting the educational and testing requirements, you will be ready to apply for your PEL. It should be noted that your license will not be valid until you register it in at least one region, which includes a nominal yearly fee. If you move, you must register your license in the new region; however, it is free to do so.
License Renewal
The PEL is valid for five years and can be renewed. You will need to complete 120 professional development hours as part of the renewal and register your license upon each renewal. The Illinois State Board of Education provides a comprehensive listing of the approved professional development providers within the state, including public school districts, the Illinois Resource Center, Illinois Virtual School, and colleges and universities with approved teacher preparation programs.