FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
�
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
€
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
€
Members
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LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
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CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
€
JULIA L. JOHNSON
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WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
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LINDA K. TAYLOR
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June 15, 2004
M E M O R A N D U M
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
Contact Persons
Name:
Evy Friend
Lezlie Cline
Phone:
(850) 245-0478
Suncom:
205-0478
Email:
Evy.Friend@fldoe.org
Lezlie.Cline@fldoe.org
DPS:
04-129
TO:
District School Superintendents
FROM:
?
Jim Warford, K-12 Chancellor
Mary Laura Openshaw, Director, Just Read, Florida!
SUBJECT:
Reading Endorsement for Exceptional Student Education Teachers Update
Many have asked if exceptional student education (ESE) certification fulfills the reading highly qualified
designation. This topic has been under much discussion by the Department due to its complexity. We are
pleased to be able to provide you with the following information:
•
Teachers with any ESE certification to match the ESE table in the Course Code Directory who
teach either the basic reading courses or the ESE reading courses to ESE students in grades K-6
are considered highly qualified.
•
Teachers with any ESE certification to match the ESE table in the Course Code Directory who
teach either the basic reading courses or the ESE reading courses to ESE students grades 7-12
and have reading certification or the reading endorsement are considered highly qualified.
•
Teachers with any ESE certification to match the ESE table in the Course Code Directory who
teach either the basic reading courses or the ESE reading courses to ESE students in grades 7-12
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
but are not certified or endorsed in reading are not considered highly qualified. They must, at a
minimum, earn a reading endorsement by June 30, 2006, in order to be considered highly
qualified. The reading courses taught at grades 7 through 12 require intensive and specialized
strategies to address adolescent literacy skills.
The courses that require reading certification or the reading endorsement are:
Grades 7-8
Grades 9-12
Reading: 6-8 (ESE)
7810020
Reading: 9-12 (ESE)
7910100
M/J Reading 1
1008010
Life Skills Reading: 9-12 (ESE)
7910400
M/J Reading 1 Advanced
1008020
Reading I
1008300
M/J Reading 2
1008040
Reading II
1008310
M/J Reading 2 Advanced
1008050
Advanced Reading
1008320
M/J Reading 3
1008070
Reading III
1008330
M/J Reading 3 Advanced
1008080
M/J Intensive Reading
1000010
Intensive Reading
1000410
M/J Intensive Language Arts
1000000
Intensive Language Arts
1000400
We encourage your districts to continue to provide professional development activities that incorporate
methods that emphasize the five key components in the area of effective reading instruction. Teachers
must be kept abreast of the latest scientifically-based research in order to appropriately teach students
with disabilities to read. In addition to your districts’ professional development activities, you may want
to contact your local Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Center for information
regarding training in your region.
If you need additional assistance regarding the reading endorsement requirements for ESE teachers,
please contact Ms. Lezlie Cline or Ms. Evy Friend at (850) 245-0478 or by electronic mail at
Lezlie.Cline@fldoe.org or Evy.Friend@fldoe.org. Thank you for what you do each day to serve Florida’s
exceptional students and your patience as we navigate the reading endorsement process.
JW/lcr
cc:
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Exceptional Student Education Directors
Assistant Superintendents for Instruction
District Reading Supervisors
District Language Arts Supervisors
Staff Development Directors
Elementary School Principals
Middle School Principals
High School Principals
Certification Specialists
FDLRS Managers
Special Education Department University Chairpersons
Professional Development Partnership Coordinators
Lee Sherry, CSPD Project Director
