ESOL Compliance and Training Information

Any teacher who is responsible for delivering primary instruction in English, Language Arts, or Reading to one or more English Language Learners (ELLs) is classified as a CATEGORY I teacher. CATEGORY I teachers are required to add either the ESOL Endorsement or the ESOL K-12 Subject Area Coverage to their valid Florida Educator Certificate. This can be done through one of the following pathways:

Option 1: ESOL Endorsement – Requirements

·       Must hold certification in another subject area appropriate to their teaching assignment and complete the following within the specified timeline:

·       15 semester hours, 300 inservice points, or a combination of both in approved ESOL coursework, covering the following five areas:

Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development

Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding

Testing and Evaluation of ESOL

Applied Linguistics

 

Training Completion Timeline

Ø  By the end of Year 1–2: 3 semester hours or 60 inservice points

Ø  By the end of Year 3: 6 semester hours or 120 inservice points

Ø  By the end of Year 4: 9 semester hours or 180 inservice points

Ø  By the end of Year 5: 12 semester hours or 240 inservice points

Ø  By the end of Year 6: 15 semester hours or 300 inservice points

 

Training must be completed by the end of April each school year.

Option 2: ESOL K-12 Subject Area Coverage – Requirements

You may also fulfill the ESOL requirement by obtaining K-12 ESOL Subject Area Certification through one of the following:

·       A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in TESOL, or

·       A passing score on the ESOL K-12 Subject Area Exam

·       Within three (3) years of obtaining the ESOL certificate through the subject area exam, you must complete 120 inservice points or 6 semester hours of equivalent ESOL coursework.

Any teacher who is responsible for delivering instruction in Mathematics, Social Studies, Science or Computer Literacy is classified as a CATEGORY II teacher.  CATEGORY II teachers are required to:

·       Hold certification in a subject appropriate to the teaching assignment

·       Complete 60 inservice points or 3 semester hours college credit in the ESOL Strategies for Content Area Teachers

Training Completion Timeline

Begins the day and month of ESOL student's initial assignment and must be completed within one year, unless you are a new hire. New hires will be given one additional year. Failure to comply will result in your non-renewal.

Training must be completed by the end of April each school year.

If using college coursework, submit official transcripts to the Certification Office and mark them clearly as "For ESOL Credit."

Any teacher who is responsible for delivering instruction in an area not included in CATEGORY I, II or IV.  CATEGORY III teachers are required to:

·       Hold certification in a subject appropriate to the teaching assignment

·       Complete 18 inservice points or 3 semester hours college credit in the ESOL Issues & Strategies for Teaching LEP Students

 

Training Completion Timeline

 

Begins the day and month of ESOL student's initial assignment and must be completed within one year, unless you are a new hire. New hires will be given one additional year. Failure to comply will result in your non-renewal.

 

Training must be completed by the end of April each school year.

 

Any School Administrator or Guidance Counselor is required to:

 

·       Obtain 60 inservice points/hours in ESOL in a Category IV approved ESOL course or inservice component.

 

Training Completion Timeline

 

Ø  Hired prior to effective date of the Modification (September 9, 2003) Must complete within three (3) years.

Ø  Hired after effective date of the Modification (September 9, 2003) Must complete within three (3) years of hiring date as a school administrator or guidance counselor

 

NOTE: Any ESOL-approved inservice hours and coursework taken prior to the effective date of the Modification or prior to being hired as a school administrator or guidance counselor may be counted toward the required 60 points.

 

Training must be completed by the end of April each school year.