Preconditions for Specialist Credentials and Certificates

Preconditions for Specialist Credentials and Certificates

English Learner Instructional Leadership Specialist

(1) Possesses a valid California teaching credential based on a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and a professional preparation program, including student teaching, and holds an English learner authorization

(2) Has completed a Commission-approved English Learner Instructional Leadership Specialist Preparation Program:

(3) Has a minimum of three years of full-time experience or the equivalent working with English learners in an instructional capacity

(4) Meets a second language requirement through at least one of the following options:

(a) Complete six semester units (or nine quarter units) in course work that emphasizes the learning of a language other than English, including American Sign Language (A grade of “C” or better, “Pass,” or “Credit” must be earned in each course.) This option must be verified by an official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university, or comparable institution outside the United States. Professional Development and Continuing Education Units from such institutions are acceptable. Course work in the methodology of teaching a language is not acceptable.

(b) Complete 90 hours of language training, with a grade of “C” or better or the equivalent, in a language other than English offered under the auspices of the California Department of Education’s Bilingual Teacher Training Program (BTTP), or by a county office or school district whose program, prior to its implementation, has been deemed equivalent to the BTTP by the California Department of Education (This training is to be verified by a letter signed by an authorized representative of the BTTP, county, or district program).

(c) Complete training in a language other than English given by the Peace Corps to volunteers preparing to serve in a non-English speaking country, verified by official Peace Corps documentation.

(d) Pass the language skills subtest (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing skills) of the CSET in any world language other than English, including languages offered through approved alternative language assessor agencies, as verified by an official score report. Passing exam scores remain valid for seven years from the individual test date.

(e) Pass any nationally administered, standardized examination in a language other than English for which the Commission has established a passing score, verified by an official score report.

(f) Obtain a proficiency level of “novice-high” or above on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Inc. Proficiency Guidelines or “0+” (zero plus) or above on the Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) (currently available only to government employees) Proficiency Descriptions, verified by an official score report.

(g) Obtain a score on a College-Level Examination Program examination in a language other than English administered by the College Board equal to or higher than the minimum score recommended by the American Council on Education for awarding credit for two semesters, verified by an official score report. (For more information, contact CLEP at [609] 771-7865.)

(h) Possess a teaching credential from another state that authorizes instruction in a language other than English, verified by a copy of the credential.

(i) Reside in a non-English speaking country or countries for 12 consecutive months at age 18 or older, verified by passports, work visas, letters from employers, or other documents.

(j) Complete one academic year (over a single period) at age 14 or above at a school in which instruction was provided in all subject areas, and all instruction, except in the subject area of English, was delivered in a language other than English, verified by an official transcript or a letter from the school.

(k) Complete two academic years, between the ages of 10 and 14, at a school in which instruction was provided in all subject areas, and all instruction, except in the subject area of English, was delivered in a language other than English, verified by an official transcript or a letter from the school.

(l) Initial arrival at age 12 or older in the United States after having spent the years from birth to age 12 in a non-English speaking country or countries, verified by a birth certificate, passport, entry visas, or other documents.

(m) Pass an Advanced Placement Examination offered through Educational Testing Service (ETS) at a level for which college credit or advanced standing in a language other than English is awarded. (This option must be verified by either an official transcript from a regionally-accredited college or university showing credit awarded via the examination, or by an original letter from the institution’s registrar or admissions office indicating that advanced standing was awarded.)

(n) Pass a college or university placement examination in a language other than English that satisfies a one-year second language requirement, results in six semester units in the language awarded on transcripts, or serves as the prerequisite to the second year course in the same language. (This option must be verified by either an official transcript from a college or university showing credit awarded via the examination, or by an original letter from the institution’s registrar or admissions office indicating the number of units granted or describing the advanced placement resulting from the examination.)

(o) Any combination of options “a” and “b” above resulting in the equivalent of six semester units of course work in a single foreign language. (Fifteen hours of BTTP training are considered equivalent to one semester unit of course work at a regionally-accredited college or university.)