The primary purpose of the ESOL Endorsement add-on program is to address the critical staffing demands and certification gaps within our district. Currently, our instructional landscape is challenged by a significant reliance on non-traditional educators and out-of-field placements. With 30% of our new hires entering the profession from pathways outside of the College of Education, there is an immediate and essential need to provide structured, pedagogical support and content-specific training to ensure classroom effectiveness and student achievement.

Our district is currently navigating a certification deficit, particularly within core and specialized subject areas. The data highlights a need for a streamlined, internal pathway to certification:

• Out-of-Field (OOF): There are currently 112 teachers serving in ESOL positions who are flagged as out-of-field, necessitating an immediate professional development intervention to meet state compliance.

• Temporary Certification: We have 471 educators currently teaching on Temporary Certificates. These individuals require a support system to transition to professional licensure before their eligibility windows expire.

• Critical Shortage Subject Areas: The district has identified the inability to fully staff ESE, Science, Math, English/Language Arts, ESOL, and Technical Education with fully certified personnel.

On average CCDS provides required ESOL Endorsement courses to 250 teachers designated as "Out-Of-Field" or "Impacted", per state guideline.

• These designated "Out-Of-Field" teachers are required to complete the state mandated training in ESOL. The "Out-Of-Field" status begins on the day and month an ESOL student is rostered. The teacher is mandated to complete one ESOL course prior to the end of April annually until the ESOL full endorsement is earned. The full ESOL endorsment is 300 hours/Five 60-hour inservice courses. Failure to do so will result in non-reappointment.
• These designated "Impacted" teachers are required to complete the state mandated training in ESOL. The "Impacted" status begins on the day and month an ESOL student is rostered. The teacher is mandated to complete one 60 hour inservice course within one year. Failure to do so could result in non-reappointment.

When candidates have completed all inservice training requirements and have demonstrated mastery of competencies and objectives, the applicant will request that the Professional Development Department review the Inservice Training Record and verify completion of all requirements for the endorsement. The district Certification office in the Human Resources Department will forward all required documents to the Florida Department of Education.

To support the district's strategic goal for Talent Recruitment, Development and Retention, the ESOL Endorsement Program will provide teachers designated as "Out-Of-Field" or "Impacted", per state guidelines, increased opportunities for required professional learning. The ESOL Endorsement Program will:

• Decrease the number of teachers ineligible for reappointment due to "Out-Of-Field" status for ESOL.
• Increase teacher retention through increased opportunities to attend required professiona learning within the district.
• Increase the number of ESOL endorsed teachers.
• Increase the number of teachers fostering safe and inclusive learning environments for English Learners.

Certify that this Add-on Program for English for Speaker of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement has been approved locally for submission to the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and Retention.