Bailey Supports Bill Removing Teacher Performance Assessment to Decrease Teacher Shortage

Lawmakers approved a slew of new legislation during the last legislative session intended to address Illinois’ teacher shortage. Governor Pritzker signed into law a measure that eliminates the requirement that teacher candidates pass a test of basic skills to receive a Professional Educators License.

The indication is that school districts across the state are still struggling to fill open teaching positions.

While the legislation the Governor signed did eliminate one requirement, teaching candidates still must pass the Education Teacher Performance Assessment. Upon completion, the student teachers are required to submit their evidence to a third-party evaluator. School officials say dozens of teaching candidates have stopped pursuing their dream of teaching because of this hurdle.

Local State Representative Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) is sponsoring House Bill 4059 which would eliminate the Education Teacher Performance Assessment. Bailey talked about his legislation...