Providing Instruction to English Learners in California:

1. Providing Instruction to English Learners in California: Who Needs Authorization? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)As presented in the Title I Conference by Terri H. Fesperman, Assignment Unit California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Paula Jacobs, Language Policy and Leadership OfficeCalifornia Department of EducationBilingual Coordinators NetworkJune 1, 2006

2. EC Section 44253.1 • “. . . For these pupils to have access to quality education, their special needs must be met by teachers who have essential skills and knowledge related to English language development, specially designed content instruction delivered in English, and content instruction delivered in the pupils’ primary languages. . .”

3. Appropriate Assignment • EL authorizations are required when it has been determined by the local level that EL services are needed and the teacher is providing the EL services regardless of • Students’ EL “designation” • Schools’ “decile” rank • Subject area or type of setting • Number of students in the class

4. Emergency CLAD/BCLAD Teaching Permits • Emergency CLAD and BCLAD permits are still available • must hold appropriate prerequisite credential • issued for one year periods • course work or passage of CTEL exams required for renewal Authorizes providing the same EL services as the CLAD or BCLAD Certificates

5. Misassignments • A certificated employee is placed in a position for which the employee lacks the legally recognized certificate, credential, or other statutory authorization (including EL assignments) • No numerical trigger • No percentage of students in the class trigger • Applies to all schools • Reported by the LEA annually on the SARC for each school • Monitored by county offices and CCTC

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) • Are all teachers required to be certified? • What is the timeline to complete EL authorization? • I don’t have any English Learners in my classroom, and my district says that I need an EL authorization, is that correct? • Are any teachers exempt from this requirement?

7. Are all teachers K-12 with 1 or more EL students in their classrooms required to be EL certified? Yes. English learners K-12 are required to receive services designed to meet their linguistic and academic needs based on assessments made by the LEA. An appropriately authorized teacher for ELD and other core content instruction is required. The state laws do not specify exemptions for a small or particular number of English learners in a class.

8. Page 8, Williams, August 26, 2005 CCTC/CDE Joint Correspondence: There is no numerical trigger and no percentage of students needing particular English learner services that determines a misassignment. If one or more of the students in the class needs English learner services or requires instruction in a subject area, the teacher providing the English learner services must hold an appropriate English learner credential or authorization. http://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/ce/wc/documents/yr05ltr0826.pdf

9. Q - What is the timeline for certificated staff to get the EL Authorization? A - The timeline is the date on which they are assigned to provide instructional services to an EL student or when it is required by the employer. 

10. I don’t have any English Learners in my classroom, and my district says that I need an EL authorization, is that correct? The employer is responsible for determining how English learner services will be provided and for appropriate assignment of staff to meet the needs of their students.

11. District Governance • In all cases, the district has the obligation to assure that teachers providing instructional services to English learners are appropriately authorized.  With this obligation, several local school boards have created policies requiring that all teachers attain such authorization. • Program design, placement of students, and teacher hiring and retention practices are local decisions. Incentives and sanctions are at the discretion of the district.

12. Q – Are any teachers providing instruction to ELs exempt from this certification? A – No. The state laws do not specify exemptions for a subject area or particular number of English learners in a class. This includes areas such as special education and vocational education.

13. Foreign language teachers are required to have a specific type of credential that authorizes instruction in a language other than English. IF they only teach foreign language classes/course sections that may include English learners, they do not need an additional authorization for ELs • Providing services such as counseling or speech therapy does not require an EL authorization as the EL authorization is a teaching authorization

14. Telephone Contacts • CCTC Assignment Unit (questions concerning appropriate assignment or authorization) - Telephone – 916-322-5038 (voice mail line – calls returned within 48 hrs after message is left) • Credential Requirements/ Renewal - Information Services - Telephone - 888-921-2682 (toll free, 1 pm to 4:45 pm)