English Learners (ELs) are students whose primary language is not English, and who have not yet attained full proficiency in English. All EL students identified in TK-12 public schools in California are required to receive services designed to meet their linguistic and academic needs based on assessments made by the local educational agency.

An appropriately authorized teacher must provide instruction appropriate for the level of language proficiency as identified for each EL student.  The instruction is designed to promote the effective and efficient acquisition of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills of the EL student. 

 There are four levels of English Learner Services:

English Learner hierarchy, top to bottom: Bilingual Instruction, Departmentalized ELD, Designated ELD, Integrated ELD (SDAIE)

English Learner authorizations are tiered, with each subsequent authorization subsumed within the higher authorization level. Therefore, educators who hold a Bilingual Authorization are authorized to provide Integrated ELD, Designated ELD, Departmentalized ELD and Bilingual/Primary Language Instruction. Likewise, educators who hold a full English Learner Authorization (such as the ELA1 or S12), may provide Integrated ELD, Designated ELD and Departmentalized ELD.

The holder of a currently issued teaching credential with one of the following English Learner authorizations may provide Integrated and Designated ELD services within the setting authorized by the credential:

  • Single Subject Teaching Credential with ELAS
  • Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with ELAM
  • Education Specialist Instruction Credential with ELAE
  • PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential with ELAP

Following the adoption of the California ELD Standards in 2010 by the State Board of Education, the Commission reviewed the standards within the preparation programs related to teaching English Learners. The English Learner Authorizations Advisory Panel determined that the teacher preparation programs did not include coursework to sufficiently prepare candidates to provide departmentalized instruction for English Language Development. Consequently, the authorization structure was amended in 2011 and educators enrolled in programs after January 1, 2014 earn a revised English Learner authorization upon program completion which authorizes providing Integrated and Designated ELD only. Therefore, to teach Departmentalized ELD, holders of these limited authorizations must complete additional preparation and earn a full EL authorization. For information regarding the credentialing requirements to earn a full EL authorization, refer to CL-628C.  For more information regarding this change, refer to Coded Correspondence 14-01.