edTPA for Illinois

Candidates applying for initial licensure in Illinois on or after July 1, 2015 (if educator preparation program was completed at an out-of-state institution) or September 1, 2015 (if the educator preparation program was completed in Illinois and student teaching was completed September 1, 2015 or later), are required to take and pass an evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness. edTPA has been approved to satisfy this requirement for licensure.

Additionally, the ISBE has established an edTPA passing standard plan which includes state approved cut scores. If a candidate completed the teacher performance assessment as part of an educator preparation program in another state, and received a passing score in that state, Illinois will honor the score as passing in Illinois. If the other state has not established a threshold for passing, the individual will need to meet the cut score established in Illinois.

Beginning January 30, 2018, teacher candidates in Illinois will be prompted to enter their Illinois Educator Identification Number (IEIN) upon edTPA registration. The IEIN is a unique number assigned to each individual by the Illinois State Board of Education when his/her ELIS account is created. To access ELIS or to create an account, please visit the Illinois State Board of Education link opens in a new window.

Illinois candidates who wish to submit an alternative to video evidence should review the information on Alternative to Video Evidence for Illinois Candidates: Options and Instructions.

For more information about edTPA in Illinois, visit the Illinois State Board of Education link opens in a new window.

Passing Score Plan for Illinois

The Illinois State Board of Education has established an edTPA cutscore plan that includes a "ramping up" over 5 years, beginning in September 2015 and ending with September 2019.

UPDATE: At the November 22, 2019, meeting, the Illinois State Board of Education made a decision to keep the 2018–2019 cutscores as the approved cutscores for the state-established passing standard.

table with the cutscore date ranges, for 13, 15, and 18 rubric fields
Date Range Passing Score,
13-Rubric Fields
Passing Score,
15-Rubric Fields
Passing Score,
18-Rubric Fields
9/1/2015–8/31/2016 31 35 41
9/1/2016–8/31/2017 31 35 41
9/1/2017–8/31/2018 33 37 43
9/1/2018 and beyond 35 39 45

Illinois candidates who do not meet the Illinois approved performance requirement may retake the assessment by choosing one of the edTPA retake options available. Candidates should consult with their faculty advisor before proceeding with a retake and can find important information in Guidelines for edTPA Retake Decision-making and Support PDF. Before registering, candidates should review the Instructions for edTPA Retake PDF document for guidance on registration and submission requirements. Note: The edTPA Score Confirmation Service is not available for Illinois candidates.

Your handbook selection should be aligned with your clinical experience. Please call or contact your state office of educator licensing for specific details.

Illinois State Department of Education link opens in a new window

For additional information regarding edTPA state policies, please review state participation information at edtpa.org link opens in a new window.


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