The Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Bilingual Education Specialist K-12 Endorsement is an additional credential that all licensed educators in the state of Colorado can add to their teaching license. This endorsement has been approved by the state to be recognized as an official program and is a non-degree and non-certificate program. Completion of this program will lead to a recommendation for an added endorsement through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This recommendation will come from the School of Education and not the University's Office of the Registrar.
A minimum grade of a C- is required in all courses to successfully complete the program and earn a recommendation for this endorsement.
This endorsement is intended for those pre-service and in-service teachers who want to work in bilingual Spanish classrooms. Coursework will provide educators the pedagogy, skills, and knowledge to support second language learners in both their primary language (Spanish) as well as English language development.
The Oral Proficiency Interview is a requirement for specific courses in the program, please see individual course descriptions for details. In addition, a capstone project which measures reading and writing proficiency in Spanish is also required. A score of “advanced low” (grading criteria put forth by the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language) (ACTFL) must be achieved in order to acquire this endorsement. These exams must be scheduled with the Modern Languages Department.