Illinois education board studying teacher testing costs

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Illinois education officials are considering whether the cost of teacher licensure tests may be contributing to the state's teacher shortage.

The (Springfield) State Journal-Register reports that the Illinois State Board of Education discussed Wednesday how to solve the problem while still maintaining high quality in classrooms. Higher-education partners and teacher candidates have told board members that one basic skills test costs $113 and another test is $300.

The board indefinitely has put on hold the Test of Academic Proficiency starting June 30 while it studies other ways to test teachers' basic skills.

Three bills are pending in the Illinois General Assembly that would eliminate the test or refund the cost to certain teachers. A board lobbyist says it has taken a neutral position on bills eliminating the test.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com