RHODE ISLANDREQUIREMENTS FOR BILINGUAL-BICULTURAL ENDORSEMENTS

Elementary Teachers

Holders of elementary school certificates may obtain an endorsement to serve as an elementary bilingual-bicultural teacher by completing nine (9) semester hours in the following areas:

1. Methods and Materials in Bilingual Education in Elementary Education
2. Social Foundations of Bilingual-Bicultural Education
3. Current Issues in Bilingual Education

In addition, an individual must show a demonstrated proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in a language other than English and understanding of the history and culture associated with that target language.*

This proficiency must be attested to by an official designated by the Commissioner of Education at approved colleges or universities in Rhode Island.

Secondary Teachers

Holders of secondary school certificates may obtain an endorsement to teach specific subject or field in bilingual-bicultural programs by completing nine (9) semester hours in the following areas:

1. Methods and Materials in Bilingual Education in Second Education
2. Social Foundations of Bilingual-Bicultural Education
3. Current Issues in Bilingual-Bicultural Education

In addition, an individual must show the demonstrated proficiency as noted above for elementary teachers.*

*Individuals seeking a bilingual endorsement in Spanish must take the following two tests offered through the Educational Testing Service and achieve the cutoff scores Noted:

          Spanish Content Knowledge: Cut-off score of 156
          Spanish Productive Language Skills: Cut-off score of 174

Information/registration regarding these two tests can be obtained by contacting the Educational Testing Service at www.ets.org/praxis of (609) 771-7395.