Exemptions Provided to Limited English Proficient Students

Question 1

English Language Learners shall be assessed for academic progress using guidelines established under Section 1008.22, F.S. English Language Learners who have been enrolled in school in the United States for less than twelve (12) months may be exempted from

Answer 1

the statewide assessment in reading and shall undertake the annual CELLA assessment in accordance with Rule 6A-6.0902, F.A.C.

Question 2

(2) Each school district shall administer CELLA to

Answer 2

English Language Learners exempted from statewide assessment in accordance with subsection (1) of this rule.

Question 3

(3) English Language Learners who have completed the credits required for graduation and who have failed to meet the 10th grade standards as measured by the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) shall be

Answer 3

eligible for compensatory education for “a thirteenth year” as provided in Section 1003.43, F.S.

Question 4

(a) Alternative methods of meeting the standards of the FCAT shall be used, where feasible, for English Language Learners who are

Answer 4

unable to demonstrate mastery of the standards due to deficiencies in English language proficiency.

Question 5

(b) English Language Learners who failed to meet the standards after completing the “thirteenth year” may be eligible to be

Answer 5

reported for FTE funding in the appropriate courses in the adult education program of the Florida Education Finance Program.

Question 6

(5) If the number of English Language Learners in a district is fewer than ten within a radius of twenty miles of a given school or within the school attendance zone, whichever is larger, a district may

Answer 6

apply to the Florida Department of Education for an exemption from the delivery of basic ESOL teacher certified in ESOL. Exemptions shall be granted on a one year basis, are renewable, and may be granted only if the district documents specific efforts to address the English language needs of its students.

Question 7

(6) The Florida Department of Education shall review annually the personnel utilized in teaching English Language Learners by program for the purpose of identifying the areas of need as

Answer 7

“critical teacher shortage” areas. The State Board of Education shall take all necessary steps to assure that the benefits set forth in Section 1009.58, F.S., shall be made available to teachers in critical teacher shortage areas.

Question 8

(7) Upon verification by a superintendent that the district has been unsuccessful in recruiting ESOL basic, ESOL subject matter, or home language instructors, and that certain positions at given schools cannot be filled during any school year with a person who meets the certification requirements in the Course Code Directory as adopted by reference in Rule 6A-1.09441, F.A.C., or the inservice requirements as specified in Rule 6A-6.0907, F.A.C., a teacher who

Answer 8

does not meet the requirements may be assigned to such a classroom on conditions that meet the terms of Rule 6A-1.0503, F.A.C.