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Q - My district Human Resources Office says that I am not in compliance with NCLB regulations, although I have been teaching ESL/ELD for a while. What are the requirements under NCLB for being qualified to teach ELD/ESL classes? What can I do if there is a misinterpretation of the NCLB legislation?

A - Go to the website for California Teacher Credentialing www.ctc.ca.gov and the link in the left hand corner for Look-up and Renewal. Placing your name in the proper place, you will see a list of your credentials and certificates. From there you can find and read what you are authorized to teach.

The BCLAD certificate authorizes the holder to teach English as a Second Language in grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults/and to teach single-subject-matter (departmentalized) courses and multiple-subject-matter (self-contained) classes to limited-English proficient and non-English proficient students in the target language named above or in English language development programs. In grades twelve and below, including preschool, and in classes organized primarily for adults.

Go to the site and research your credentials and certificates and what they authorize you to teach. If there are further questions, you may wish to contact the office of Teacher Credentialing. A direct number to a supervisor in the office is (916) 327-2972. The supervisors first name is Donna, and she is conversant in these matters. Use her as a last resort, only if the issue cannot be resolved by researching on the website.

From the Commission on Teacher Credentialing

Subject: Implementation of Assembly Bill 1871 Concerning Bilingual and English Learner Authorizations

Date: March 20, 2009

Number: 09-05

Link: http://www.ctc.ca.gov/notices/coded/2009/0906.pdf

Summary:

Assembly Bill (AB) 1871 (Chap. 660, Stats. 2008) was signed by the Governor on September 30, 2008. The bill has three primary provisions:

Additional options will be available to earn a bilingual authorization including the completion of a Commission-approved bilingual program as well as the option of combining coursework from these programs with Commission-approved bilingual examination subtest(s).
Additional option is available to earn an English learner authorization by combining Commission-approved California Teacher of English Learner (CTEL) program coursework with passing scores on the CTEL examination subtest(s).
Individuals will earn an "authorization" as opposed to a "certificate" for both the bilingual authorizations (formerly Bilingual Crosscultural, Language and Academic Development [BCLAD] Certificate) and the English learner authorizations (formerly Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development [CLAD] Certificate).
Authorizations will be added to the selected valid prerequisite document when minimum requirements have been met (Information on appropriate prerequisite documents may be found in the information leaflets noted in the References section).

Professional Growth Requirement

The Commission on Teacher Credentialing has issued its position related to the 150 hour Professional Growth Requirement for a credential renewal. This change was a part of SB 1209 (Scott) signed into law by the Governor with the effective date of January 1, 2007. Correspondence #06-0017 (PDF format) clarifies the change in requirements and provides the online renewal process teachers and others are to use when renewing their credential.