This page will continue to be updated with our latest responses to how COVID-19 affects student life and instruction at Relay Chicago.
Relay Chicago Classes
Relay Chicago has regulatory approval and instructional flexibility to administer coursework online, and so for the health and safety of our graduate students, school partners, and staff, all Relay coursework and instruction will be conducted online for the 2020 Fall Term, and until we can safely return to in-person operations. This includes Deliberate Practice for Residents. Class days and times will remain the same as indicated in our Academic Calendars. Graduate students will receive class logistics from their professors.
Relay believes every educator has the right to be safe and healthy within their classroom, school, and community. We understand that reopening schools during a global pandemic is a complex challenge for education systems with many points of influence. Relay supports our teachers and school leaders as they make the difficult decision about what is best for themselves, their students, and their families.
Relay faculty and staff are currently working to create flexibility within our processes, where possible. We encourage anyone with questions or concerns to reach out to support@relay.edu.
Teacher Licensure
EdTPA for Class of 2021: We are working closely with the Illinois School Board of Education (ISBE) to consider any requirements for licensure that may be impacted by COVID-19. At this time, ISBE has waived the edTPA for Fall Term 2020. In effect, this means students in the Class of 2021 can be entitled for the PEL in Summer 2021 without completing the edTPA. We will continue to provide additional updates as they come.
ILTS Content Exams for students entering Summer of 2020: Usually, candidates who are seeking licensure through Relay Chicago are required to pass relevant Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) content exams prior to starting classes at Relay. You may have seen our original deadline of June 21, 2020. However, due to COVID-19 and the closure of testing centers, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has now confirmed that ILTS content exams will not be a prerequisite for entry into alternative licensure programs this year, but will still be a required component of the licensure process. Here is the updated testing timeline for Relay students:
- Relay students must attempt the required content exam(s) for their licensure area by October 1, 2020 or 30 days after Pearson Testing Centers in IL are re-opened; whichever is later.
- Relay students must pass their content exam(s) by June 30, 2021.
Please note that if your school employer or partner program has set different or additional testing deadlines, you will need to adhere to those to remain in good standing in your program employment.
We encourage you to begin study for your exam(s) now. Please read our Relay Chicago Testing Guide, which includes details about the required content exam(s) for your subject area and a number of study resources. Pearson Testing Centers are now reopening beginning June 1, 2020. You may begin testing whenever you feel safe to do so. It may be wise to take the test(s) this summer before your teaching responsibilities begin in the fall.
ILTS Content Exams for students entering Summer of 2021: Please note that ILTS content exams are a prerequisite for entry into Relay's licensure program per standard operating procedure. We will provide updates if testing centers are not available under COVID-19 conditions.
Relay AmeriCorps Members
Relay works closely with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and Serve IL to ensure that members can fulfill their service hours via distance learning during this time to meet the requirements to receive the full Segal Education Award. Please refer to the following Support Center articles for information on Member Status and Teleservice Hours. We will provide updates to all members as necessary.