Center for the Preparation
of Education Professionals

• CPEP HOME
• GENERAL INFORMATION
  • Overview
  • History
  • Mission
  • Conceptual Framework
• ACCREDITATION
  • Overview
  • Governance (UTEC)
  • Assessment System
• CERTIFICATION
  • Certification Process
  • Illinois Certification
    Testing System
    (ICTS)
  • Programs/Certificates
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  • Legal Issues
  • Teacher Certification
    FAQ
  • Out of State Certification
  • Educator Certification System (ECS)
• TEACHER EDUCATION
  PROGRAM (TEP)
  • TEP Requirements
  • Calendar
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  • GPA Calculator
  • Transfer Articulation
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  • Candidates Dispositions
  • Legal Issues
• CLINICAL EXPERIENCES
  (Pre-service and
  Student
  Teaching)
• UNDERGRADUATE
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• FORMS: TEACHER - MENTOR
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BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS
-TEP HANDBOOK (pdf)
  Requires Adobe Reader (free download)
-TEP Application
-TEP Calendar
-TEP FRAMEWORK
-Illinois Professional Teaching Standards
-Core Language Arts Standards for all  Teachers
-Technology Standards for all Teachers
-Background Investigation
-Appeals
-Candidate Dispositions
-Dispositions - First Check (pdf)
-Dispositions - Second Check (pdf)
-Dispositions - Final Check (pdf)
-Task Stream
-Illinois Certification Testing System
-Technology Competency Assessment

Teacher Education candidates are expected to comply with the Illinois State Police and FBI fingerprint background investigation requirements as set forth by the University Teacher Education Program. Prior to any field work in schools/agencies, candidates are to supply verification of having completed both an Illinois State Police and FBI fingerprint background investigation through the Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals. Candidates may be prohibited from completing field work if background investigations disclose arrests and/or convictions deemed problematic. Information may be obtained in Horrabin Hall 91; questions may be directed to Melissa (Missy) Phillips, Director of Advising--298-2117.

Candidates must complete an Illinois State Police and FBI background fingerprint investigation at two points:

1. Upon application to the Teacher Education Program (to be completed during the same semester in which application to TEP is being submitted) or prior to their first field work, whichever comes first.
2. The semester prior to student teaching (to be completed after April 1 for fall student teachers and after September 1 for spring student teachers).

Please note that additional investigation points may be necessary dependent upon field experience requirements in cooperating school districts.

The fee is, payable to Accurate Biometrics by money order, cash or credit card.  Accurate Biometrics is a private vendor that conducts background investigations utilizing Livescan technology to perform electronic fingerprinting, with results usually available within 48-72 hours.  A schedule of dates and locations for fingerprinting can be accessed at www.AccurateBiometrics.com.  Fingerprinting takes place periodically on the Macomb campus in Horrabin Hall   Moline campus students should access the website for various locations in that region. Students completing this investigation at a sight other than the Macomb or Quad Cities campus will need to provide Accurate Biometrics with a special form in order for the results to be sent to WIU

Questions concerning this process may be directed to Melissa Phillips, Center for the Preparation of Education Professionals, at (309) 298-2117, MM-Phillips@wiu.edu.