ESL Endorsement Information

State and federal law, policies, and regulations provide parameters regarding the education of students who are Multi-Language Learners (MLL) in the United States. School districts must identify students, assess their abilities to understand, speak, read, and write English, and provide comprehensible and content-based instructional programs. 

All SLCSD educators must have an ESL endorsement. Depending on their teaching area, they can have a district modified or state endorsement. New employees must complete their endorsement by the end of their fourth year of employment.

• ESL Endorsement: Elementary teachers, core content secondary teachers (science, mathematics, ELA, Social Studies), and academic coaches in core areas are required to have an ESL Endorsement (six classes).
• SLCSD Modified Endorsement: Secondary elective teachers, administrators, and other educators can complete the entire endorsement or an SLCSD Modified Endorsement (1-3 classes, depending on your role). The application with specific course information is posted in Resource section on the right.
• All educators are welcome to complete the entire credential.
• Educators may also complete the endorsement by earning a passing score on the English to Speakers of Other Languages Praxis Exam (5362). A passing score on this assessment will complete the endorsement and you can submit your application to USBE.

SLCSD provides an ESL endorsement program designed to provide educators with the knowledge and strategies to support English language learners in their classrooms.  ESL Endorsement classes are graduate-level classes offered with university credit, so they will count toward a professional lane change. The complete ESL Endorsement (six classes, earning grade of C or better) is granted by USBE and is recorded on your teaching credential. The modified endorsement is only recorded on your SLCSD record.

Cohorts begin every spring. Registration information is sent through the district email system in February and can be found on Clever in KickUp. Information about the most current cohort is also posted on this webpage. 

All participants have to register with SUU for credit. There is no cost to apply to the university program. Each course, with fees, is $69 for posted credit. There are no additional costs per class. 

ESL Endorsement classes are currently only available to employees in the SLCSD. 

Please remember that it is your responsibility to (1) register and pay for courses through SUU using the information sent to you by SLCSD; (2) complete the courses with integrity and a grade of C or better; and (3) send your transcript(s) and application to USBE when you have finished the endorsement classes.

If you complete the modified endorsement, you must submit your application for endorsement through the online application on this page in the Resources.

If you pass the Praxis assessment, you must still complete and submit the USBE application in order to have the endorsement added to your license.

Please contact Dr. Tiffany Hall with questions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I sign up for the endorsement?

Registration information is sent through district email in February and the cohort is open until filled. Registration will be closed with the maximum number of students is reached. 

The SLCSD Endorsement Course Registration is posted on KickUp, the SLCSD Professional Development System. You can access it through Clever. 

How are SLCSD ESL classes taught?

Our ESL endorsement is online. There are no set meeting times, but assignments are scheduled to be completed weekly. There are online discussions that must be conducted within a specific timeframe.  We use the district CANVAS account to host all courses.

What if I already have earned my ESL Endorsement through my university program or in another district or state?

You must submit your courses to the Utah State Board of Education for review and approval. Make sure USBE posts your endorsement to your credential. If your previous ESL endorsement is missing any requirement for USBE, make sure you receive a list of courses needed to complete the endorsement in writing.

I started my endorsement through the SLCSD / BYU / SUU program, but didn’t finish. What should I do now?

Make sure you know which Domains you completed both the class and the required professional development. These classes should then be marked as “complete” and be listed on your University / College transcript. You can then complete the other required classes from any other program that is approved and listed on the USBE Application.