Program Specialist - ESL Pennsylvania Department of Education

Transcription

1 Program Specialist - ESL Pennsylvania Department of Education Application Requirements for Program Providers & Minimum Competencies: Training Information Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation July 9, 2002

2 The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, is providing English as a Second Language, ESL, program specialist guidelines. These guidelines address training teachers who provide instruction in Pennsylvania school districts/classrooms to students whose dominant language is not English. By the beginning of the school year, all teachers in ESL programs must have a Program Specialist-ESL certificate. I. Training Provider Information for Colleges/Universities with Education Programs, Community Colleges or Intermediate Units Colleges and universities with approved teacher education programs in Pennsylvania, as well as intermediate units and community colleges, can provide the state s defined minimum training requirements, after review and approval of their application by the Division of Teacher Education, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, Pennsylvania Department of Education. All ESL Program Specialist training at colleges, universities or intermediate units must consist of 12 semester credits or 180 hours as a minimum. In colleges/universities, at least 9 of the 12 credits must be offered through the university s education department. The following must be included in the ESL training program proposal application from a college, community college, university or intermediate unit: 1. A list of coursework, which provides state minimum training, and hour/credit requirements; Required areas of concentration: 45 hours or 3 semester units of Second Language Acquisition/Linguistics-Refer to ESL Training and Components Form (I. English Usage and Developing Linguistic Awareness). 90 hours of 6 semester units of Methods of ESL, Academic and Literacy Development, Program Implementation and Assessment for English language learners. (Can include a section devoted to a seminar and practicum for non-practicing ESL teachers) Refer to the ESL Training Components Form

3 (II. English as a Second Language Instructional Materials Development and III. English Language Learners Language and Support Services Knowledge). 45 hours or 3 semester units of Understanding Cultural Diversity I K-12 Classrooms, Multicultural Education Refer to the ESL Training Components Form (IV. Developing Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity). 2. A student advisement sheet showing total coursework/hours required, including content and sequencing of those required courses/hours; 3. A description of each course s content; 4. Intended times/days/months that the classes will be offered; 5. Intended faculty/resumes of staff to be involved. 6. Title/name of individual signing ESL program specialist completion form; Name, Phone # of ESL contact, if otherwise. Applications for ESL training program provision will be received on an ongoing basis. When applications for ESL training program providers have been reviewed and approved, the PDE website will maintain a list of approved providers. Applicant agencies will receive a formal letter of approval. Applications for ESL training program proposals should be sent to: The Division of Teacher Education, Third Floor, Pennsylvania Department of Education, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA Pennsylvania teachers who have already completed substantive collegiate programs with a concentration in ESL may have that content reviewed and evaluated by the approved Pennsylvania ESL training program providers for credit toward or the issuance of the Letter of ESL Training Completion. Any further request for information on ESL Training Program Providers and the application process should be directed to the Division of Teacher Education, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, Pennsylvania Department of Education at

4 II. School District/Intermediate Unit ESL Program Specialist Hiring Information --All existing teachers in an ESL program must have an Program Specialist- ESL certificate by completing the mandatory approved ESL training program no later than the beginning of the school year. --School districts must apply for the Program Specialist-ESL certificate as their ESL teachers complete the mandatory approved training program and have been issued the Letter of ESL Training Completion by the approved provider. As districts need to hire further ESL teachers, the training and application process will be repeated. -- All newly hired teachers of ESL programs, beginning in the school year, must have completed the mandatory approved training program prior to employment. After a district with an ESL program vacancy locates a candidate that has completed the Program Specialist-ESL training, the district must submit an application with the Division of Candidate Evaluation Services, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, Pennsylvania Department of Education to obtain a Program Specialist-ESL certificate for that candidate. School entities may also request a Program Specialist- ESL certificate for those ESL teachers holding a valid out-of-state ESL certificate equivalent to the Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate. Specific criteria, procedures and forms for the Program Specialist: ESL certificate application will be distributed to school districts in July 2002.

5 At a minimum, candidates for a Program Specialist-English as a Second Language (ESL) certificate must have: 1. A valid Pennsylvania Instructional I or II certificate. 2. A signed copy of the ESL Training Completion form listing the program competencies and indicating that the training components have been successfully completed. Note: This form must be signed by the college/university certification officer or the intermediate unit executive director. -OR- Have a copy of a valid out-of-state ESL certificate equivalent to Pennsylvania s Instructional I or II certificate issued by another state. Note: The out-of state ESL certificate will be reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation. Note: School district teachers with Instructional I or II certificates who formerly obtained an ESL program specialist certificate and are still employed as an ESL instructor with the district that requested the program specialist ESL certificate remain eligible to fulfill those ESL duties at that district. Any further request for information school district submission of the Program Specialist-ESL certificate should be directed to the Division of Candidate Evaluation Services, Bureau of Teacher Certification and Preparation, Pennsylvania Department of Education at

6 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Education July 9, 2002 ESL Training Components Form All Pennsylvania candidates must complete a training program that requires a demonstration of knowledge of the fundamental concepts and practices of English as a second language instruction/services that could be provided at either pre-school, elementary or secondary level. This training must include the following components, as a minimum: I. English Usage and Developing Linguistic Awareness -Knowledge of the structure of the English language/grammar and pronunciation, including lexical, morphological, syntax and phonological components. -Knowledge of the process of first and second language acquisition. -Knowledge of the process of literacy development for second language learners and strategies to assist ELLs in the different stages of second language acquisition -Knowledge to assist ELLs to communicate using verbal and nonverbal language. II. English As A Second Language Instructional Materials/ Development -Knowledge to design and implement ESL program to assist ELLs in the process of acquiring English and cognitive academic language skills. -Knowledge of methods, strategies, research and resources that address the educational needs of ELLs in their learning process, including the use of computer technology. -Knowledge to select and design teaching resources for ELLs according to their language proficiency, native language development and literacy development. 1 of 5

7 -Knowledge and application of a variety of currently accepted, research based ESL instructional methods and strategies to meet specific instructional needs of Ells. -Knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate a variety of curricular and instructional activities for diverse ELLs. -Knowledge of instructional adaptations/modifications to assist ELLs in the regular classroom. -Knowledge to utilize meaningful instructional strategies that support the ELL/students culture and acculturation process. -Knowledge of teaching strategies and resources that promote multicultural information though various curricula. -Knowledge to adapt classroom activities, procedures and assessment to maximize second language acquisition and learning, including working collaboratively in small groups. III. English Language Learners (ELLs) Language & Support Services Knowledge -Knowledge of effective assessment tools/practices to identify levels of language proficiency, acquisition and content learning as well as monitor student progress. -Knowledge of available all school support services that can assist the ELLs in language acquisition/content learning. -Knowledge of multiple assessment models to document ELLs progress in various curricular and instructional activities. -Knowledge and use of evaluation techniques to assess the various curricular and instructional activities used for the English language learners/students. -Knowledge to promote parental/family involvement and participation regarding their children s accomplishments and educational needs and to assist in the development of ELLs projected services. -Knowledge of formal/informal assessments tools, and an Individualized Education Plan, to use with ELLs who have been identified as special education students. 2 of 5

8 -Knowledge of educational program/instructional activity adaptations required for ELLs who require specially designed instruction pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act -Knowledge to utilize strategies that combine language development and higher order thinking skills related to the content of the academic curriculum. IV. Developing Cultural Awareness/Sensitivity -Knowledge of behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of multicultural and multilingual learners and families. -Knowledge of current methods and techniques, based on recognized principles of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL), in working with culturally and linguistically diverse students/families. -Knowledge of how to facilitate the English Language Learners (ELLs), and their families, understanding of, and collaboration with, ESL and other school staff. -Knowledge of how to promote school staff s understanding and sensitivity toward cultures other than American and languages other than English. -Knowledge of how other cultures compare/relate to the American culture in areas such as communities, businesses, languages, education, and education support systems in other countries. -Required areas of concentration: At least 3 semester credits/units of Second Language Acquisition/Linguistics. At least 6 semester credits/units of Methods of ESL, Academic and Literacy Development, Program Implementation and Assessment for English language learners. This can also include a practicum for non-practicing ESL teachers. At least 3 semester credits/units of understanding Cultural Diversity in K-12 classrooms. -Intermediate Unit ESL Program Specialist Training must consist of 150 hours of seat instruction and must, at a minimum, include the following: 45 hours of Second Language Acquistition/Linguistics. 90 hours of methods of ESL, Academic Literacy Development, Program Implementation and A-ssessment for ELL s. 15 hours of understanding Cultural Diversity in K-12 classrooms. 3 of 5

9 This document certifies that you satisfactorily completed a Pa. Department of Education-approved English as A Second Language (ESL) training program or its equivalent of collegiate courses as determined by the program provider. You should retain this letter in your files. Completion of the ESL Training qualifies you for the Program Specialist: ESL certificate when such certificate is requested by a public school entity (public schools, school districts, intermediate units, area vocational technical schools and charter schools) employing you to provide ESL services to children/youth. Additionally the credits earned from completing this program may be reported for Act 48 continuing education requirements, towards a level II certificate or, if taken for graduate credit, towards the Letter of Master s Equivalency. Page 4 of 5

10 Attestment of Program Specialist-ESL Training Component Completion has successfully completed all of the required Pennsylvania defined minimum program competencies and training components through our approved ESL training program and can be considered for the Pennsylvania Program Specialist-ESL. (Certification Officer or I. U. Executive Director) (College/University or Intermediate Unit Name) Date Page 5 of 5