Jennifer Tinson
May 22, 2209
EEX 5051
Florida Consent Decree Assessment
Please answer the following questions:
1. What is the purpose of the Fl. Consent Decree?
The purpose of the Consent Decree is to provide equal access to education and
appropriate services to individuals who spoke other languages besides English in the
school districts across the state of Florida.. The Decree mandated that all Florida
public schools adhere to both state and federal laws regarding the provision of
services to LEP students.
2. Summarize the initial identification process of English Language Learners in schools per the Consent Decree.
The initial identification process begins with a home survey being conducted upon enrolment in a school district. The survey consists of three questions and if yes is answered to either one of those questions, that student will be assessed to determine LEP eligibility. The home language and national origin will also be collected and retained in the school district’s data system during the initial identification process.
3. Summarize the implications for K-12 teachers (e.g., training hours, tests, certifications) as mandated in the Consent Decree. Be sure to discuss any implications/expectations that might differ between teachers already in schools and new teachers.
Teachers must obtain a basic ESOL endorsement along with a bachelor's or higher degree with certification in another subject, and a minimum score of two hundred twenty (220) on the Test of Spoken English (TSE), a Fifteen (15) semester hours in English to speakers of other languages (ESOL) to include credit in each of the areas of Methods of teaching English to speakers of other languages (ESOL), ESOL curriculum and materials development, Cross- cultural communication and understanding, Applied linguistics, and Testing and evaluation of ESOL. Any teacher required to have an endorsement or training will complete such training within one year of his or her initial assignment. A first year teacher with a temporary certification can complete all in service requirements within three years of initial assignment. If a teacher needs to complete coursework for the ESOL endorsement, he or she has to complete all work within 3 years of initial assignment. All new teachers will enter with the necessary training and endorsements issued during completion of undergraduate course work.