First, gather all documentation from previously completed university or college coursework (if applicable - post- secondary experience is not required). Then, navigate to the U-46 Applitrack website, and submit an online application with your supporting documents. To view the credentials required to be a paraeducator, check this link to the Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE).

Depending on your educational background, you may be close to acquiring your Professional Educator License (PEL). This document from the Kane County ROE describes the coursework required to acquire a PEL, and be able to be a teacher in Illinois.

In addition to this link, you can also view specific university and college coursework on the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) website here.

Yes, depending on your present bachelor’s or master’s degree, many of your completed courses will transfer. U-46 has created several partnerships with neighboring universities and colleges and can guide you to one of those institutions to begin the transcript review process. 

Yes, the requirements to become a paraeducator can be reviewed here. The Kane County Regional Office of Education can also assist you with licensure questions. Click here to view their website.

Yes and no. Depending on your area of focus while you pursue a PEL for teaching, some of your completed coursework might transfer to your new teaching degree, or you're eligible for an MAT degree.

Some bachelor degrees also qualify for alternative licensure in education, and that would need to be assessed by ISBE. A U-46 Horizons4U team member can take an initial assessment, and guide you through next steps. The ISBE link can assist with some of this information by clicking here.

Yes and no. Depending on what you select to focus on to pursue a PEL for teaching or an administrative degree in education, some of your completed coursework might transfer to begin completing a teaching or administrative degree.  Administratively there are several paths an individual can take to complete and Educational Administrative endorsement.  A U-46 Horizons4U team member can take an initial assessment, and guide you through next steps.  The ISBE link here can assist with some of this information.

No. The Elgin Agreement includes a salary schedule that already compensates a teacher for completed coursework from accredited colleges and university programs.

There are postings on the U-46 Careers (Internal) website.  The Applitrack postings are listed by each category that might be of interest to you.  Horizons for “U” - Paraeducator (Job ID#.....), Horizons for “U” - Teacher (Job ID#.....), Horizons for “U”- Trades (Job ID#.....), Horizons for “U” - Administrator (Job ID#.....

The agreement has been designed to be for no less than five (5) years once hired into the new position. There will be a written agreement that will be reviewed and signed prior to commencement of the Horizons4U tuition reimbursement program for each individual applicant. There will be a meeting with each individual employee to discuss the details of the entire program, their goals and how to complete each step to ensure reimbursement and completion of a degree or licensure. 

The Horizons4U tuition reimbursement program has a start date of Fall of 2023. Registration for universities and colleges typically begins in July. U-46 employees can apply for this program throughout the year. This program has been approved by the Board of Education, and will be assessed prior to the start of each school year.

Once the employee completes a semester of courses at the university or college, they will submit two items: Their payment receipt of that semester of courses from the university or college, and a scanned version of their grades and credit given for the courses submitted. This process continues for each semester until the degree, licensure or certification has been completed.