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Questions & Answers

Question: What are the qualifications required to teach in the Chicago Public Schools?

Answer: Any candidate who is seeking a teaching position at a public school in the State of Illinois must have a valid and proper teaching certificate issued in Illinois, which means that not only the certificate has to be currently registered, but also it has to be in the subject area of teaching. This requirement is mandatory especially after the implication of the “No Child Left Behind” policy since 2003. For teaching Chinese at elementary schools, the certificate required is a Type 10 in Chinese or with Chinese endorsement and for high schools is Type 09 in Chinese or with Chinese endorsement. In the City of Chicago, a candidate must also show proof of residency in the city. Of course, every candidate must pass criminal background check and drug and health examinations.

Question: How am I going to obtain a Chinese endorsement if I have already had a teaching certificate?

Answer: The State of Illinois has changed its course-based method to proficiency-based method for subject endorsements. The good news is that, hopefully, by the year 2004, you can simply take and pass a Chinese subject area test to be eligible for the endorsement. Yes, there will be a Chinese test.

Question: How can I obtain a certificate in Chinese?

Answer: It is very hard. Theoretically, you may go through a certification program and process to obtain a certificate in the subject area of Chinese language. However, in reality, so far there has not yet any college program in Illinois offers Chinese as a certifiable subject area. (National Louis is in the process of umbrella all languages under one foreign language program, and DePaul is proposing a Chinese and a Japanese program.) The only option at the moment is to be certified in any subject area and try to get an endorsement in Chinese if you have background in Chinese.

*All the above answers are from a practical point of view of MCTA’s members’ experience and knowledge. They are subject to constant changes in policies and regulations as well as new development of the complicated situations of certification.

For other common questions, please check out the website of the Illinois State board of Education and the website of CPS.

Last Modified: 8-25-2003