First Ever Union-Sponsored ESOL/ELL Endorsement in Florida

NEA – FEA Partnership Launches Initial Course in First Ever
Union-Sponsored ESOL/ELL Endorsement in Florida

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The training requirements for teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in Florida are largely dictated by the outcome of a lawsuit (League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) et al vs. State Board of education et al. Consent Decree, 1990). 

There are three levels of ESOL in-service requirements depending on the subject area.

An ESOL Endorsement is required for teachers of basic ESOL or the primary English and Language Arts. The ESOL Endorsement may be completed by either 300 in-service points (one point is equivalent to one hour) or 15 college-semester hours in the following courses/areas:

• Methods of Teaching ESOL
• ESOL Curriculum and Materials Development
• Cross-Cultural Communication and Understanding
• Applied Linguistics
• Testing and Evaluation

Teachers of mathematics, social studies, computer literacy must complete 60 in-service hours or points or equivalent college credit (3 semester hours) in ESOL Strategies.

Special Area teachers like physical education, fine arts and music are required to complete 18 hours of in-service or semester hours.

*FEA/NEA Partnership to create a 300 hour Endorsement, being rolled out through the Volusia Teachers Organization (VTO) in Daytona Beach, Florida.

**VTO developed course (using the initial NEA ELL course as the basis for the 60 hour course for subject area teachers)

The trigger for a teacher to receive the training referenced above is having an ELL student assigned to his or her classroom – even if that student was assigned in error – even if the student was withdrawn from the class after 15-minutes. From the moment an ELL student is assigned, teachers have 5-years to begin working on their ELL requirements. While pre-service programs now address the ESOL/ELL requirements, many of the teachers who now require training began teaching prior to these requirements or entered the profession through alternative certification.  With the changing demographics of the student population throughout Florida, the clock has started ticking for an increasing number of teachers who need to get started on their ESOL Endorsement or training.

The challenge is further complicated by the fact that districts, the traditional ESOL in-service providers, are cutting their budgets and their programs – particularly in the area of training. In Volusia, the district eliminated all face to face ESOL courses and replaced them with a self-paced online option. Many of our members who need the courses are not as comfortable with online learning. This has left many teachers frustrated with how they will meet the requirements within the allotted time-frame with so few options. Failure to begin working on the ESOL requirements within the 5 year period results in teachers having to reapply for their school district positions.

In response to the needs of his members, Andrew Spar, President of the Volusia Teachers Organization (VTO) contacted FEA to assist members in meeting their ESOL/ELL requirements in a timely manner. FEA initiated a partnership with NEA to help meet the growing needs for ESOL/ELL training. Over the past six months, Linda Ana Cabral, National Education Association Associate Director of New Products & Programs/English Language Learners Culture & Equity, has been working with Danielle Montes, Director of Professional Development for the Florida Education Association (FEA) to coordinate the development of the first-ever union-sponsored 300-hour ELL Endorsement.  The idea to provide ESOL/ELL training to meet state and district requirements started when NEA completed the roll-out of the three-day ELL course almost two years ago. Since that time, the VTO under the direction of Dr. Primrose Cameron has augmented the original course and received district approval for it as meeting the 60-hour ESOL requirement for content area teachers.

The first course, Applied Linguistics was unveiled during an FEA Regional Professional Development Institute in Volusia last month. The course was developed by Theresa Montano, Associate Professor, California State University: Northridge  and Dr. Noni Reis, Department of Educational leadership, San Jose State University College of Education, between January and April of this year and delivered for the first time by Theresa Montano and Professor Rosalinda Quintana , Ph. D., Teacher Education and Masters Programs and the International Teacher Education Counci,l for twenty-plus participants including prospective trainers. Participants were very thankful for the union for offering them this opportunity. Many accomplished teachers and trainers were among this first group of participants. One participant remarked, “We are learning in-depth content from experts.”  The participants will be returning on October 2, 2010 to present their portfolio assignments (also required), case studies and student samples and practice presentations. FEA will seek state approval of the 300 –hour ELL Endorsement. The next course in the series will be Cross-Cultural Communications to be unveiled next spring.