Requirements for State of Maine
English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
Eligibility for Endorsement 660: English as a Second Language can be established by completing one of the three pathways:
Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 1
(a) Graduated from a Maine program approved for the education of English as a Second Language teachers, together with a formal recommendation from the preparing institution;
(b) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
(c) Completed an approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom”;
(d) Passed content area assessment, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
(e) Passed Basic Skills Test in reading, writing, and mathematics, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013.
Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 2
(a) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
(b) Holds a valid Maine provisional or professional teaching certificate with a K-3, K-8, 5-8, 7-12, or K-12 endorsement;
(c) Completed a minimum of 15 semester hours in English as a Second Language coursework;
(d) Completed an approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom”;
(e) Passed content area assessment in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013; and
(f) Passed pedagogical knowledge and skills assessment at the appropriate grade level, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013, or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program.
Endorsement Eligibility Pathway 3
(a) Earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university;
(b) Completed a minimum of 24 semester hours in English as a Second Language coursework;
(c) Completed an approved course for “Teaching Exceptional Students in the Regular Classroom”;
(d) Passed content area assessment, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013;
(e) Passed Basic Skills Test in reading, writing and mathematics, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013;
(f) Passed Pedagogical knowledge assessment and skills at the appropriate grade level, in accordance with Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 013, or successful completion of an approved alternative professional studies program; and
(g) Completed one academic semester or a minimum of 15 weeks of full-time student teaching, or a combination of part-time and full-time student teaching in an amount equivalent to 15 weeks in this endorsement area at the specified grade level. This requirement shall be waived upon completion of one full year of successful teaching under a targeted need certificate, a conditional certificate, or a transitional endorsement in this endorsement area at the specified grade level.
Project Opportunity offers courses and institutes that fulfill individual requirements for ESL endorsement. ESL endorsement is offered through the State of Maine Department of Education Certification Office.
To research or apply for State Endorsement contact
Nancy Mullins, ESL/Bilingual Education Specialist, at:
State of Maine Department of Education
Certification Office
23 Statehouse Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0023.
Telephone: 207.624.6603
Fax: 207.624.6604
E-mail: cert.doe@maine.gov
Or visit their website at http://www.maine.gov/education/cert/index.html
