Section R7-2-615. Endorsements

A.      An endorsement shall be automatically renewed with the cer- tificate on which it is posted.

B.       Except as noted, all endorsements are subject to the general certification provisions in R7-2-607.

C.      Endorsements which are optional as specified herein may be required by local governing boards.

D.      Special subject endorsements – grades K through 12

1.        Special subject endorsements shall be issued in the area of art, computer science, dance, dramatic arts, music, or physical education.

2.        Special subject endorsements are optional.

3.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, or special educa- tion certificate;

b.        One course in the methods of teaching the subject at the elementary level and one course in the methods of teaching the subject at the secondary level; and

c.         One of the following:

i.         Thirty semester hours of courses in the subject area which may include the courses listed in subsection (D)(3)(b);

ii.        A passing score on the subject area portion of the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment, if an assessment has been adopted by the Board; or

iii.      A passing score on a comparable out-of-state subject area assessment.

E.       Mathematics  Specialist  Endorsement  –  grades  K   through eight. This subsection is valid until June 30, 2011.

1.        The mathematics specialist endorsement is optional.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary or special education certifi- cate,

b.        Three semester hours of courses in the methods of teaching elementary school mathematics, and

c.         Fifteen semester hours of courses in mathematics education for teachers of elementary or middle school mathematics.

F.       Mathematics Endorsement – grades K through eight. This sub- section becomes effective on July 1, 2011.

1.        The mathematics endorsement is optional for all K through eight teachers, but recommended for an individ- ual in the position of mathematics specialist, consultant, interventionist, or coach. Nothing in this Section prevents school districts from requiring certified staff to obtain a mathematics endorsement as a condition of employment. The mathematics endorsement does not waive the requirements set forth in R7-2-607(J).

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary or special education certifi- cate;

b.        Three years of full-time teaching experience in grades K through eight; and

c.         Eighteen semester hours to include:

i.         Three semester hours of data analysis, proba- bility, and discrete mathematics;

ii.        Three semester hours of geometry and mea- surement;

iii.      Six semester hours of patterns, algebra, and functions; and

iv.       Six semester hours of number and operations.

d.        Six semester hours to include:

i.         Three semester hours of mathematics class- room assessment;

ii.        Three semester hours of research-based prac- tices, pedagogy, and instructional leadership in mathematics.

e.         A passing score on the middle school mathematics knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment may be substituted for the 18 semester hours described in subsection (F)(2)(c).

f.         Completion of a comparable valid mathematics spe- cialist certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the requirements described in subsection (F)(2)(c) and (d).

G.      Reading Specialist Endorsement – grades K through 12. This subsection is valid until June 30, 2011.

1.        The reading specialist endorsement shall be required of an individual in the position of reading specialist, reading consultant, remedial reading teacher, special reading teacher, or in a similar position.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, or special educa- tion certificate; and

b.        Fifteen semester hours of courses to include decod- ing, diagnosis and remediation of reading difficul- ties, and practicum in reading.

H.      Reading Endorsement. This subsection becomes effective on July 1, 2011.

1.        A reading endorsement shall be required of an individual in the position of reading or literacy specialist, reading or literacy coach, and reading or literacy interventionist.

2.        Reading Endorsement for grades K through eight. The requirements are:

a.         A valid  Arizona elementary  special  education or early childhood certificate,

b.        Three years of full-time teaching experience,

c.         Three semester hours of a supervised field experi- ence or practicum in reading completed for the grades K through eight, and

d.        One of the following:

i.         Twenty-one semester hours beyond require- ments of initial provisional or standard teaching certificate to include the following:

(1)     Three semester hours in the  theoretical and research foundations of language and literacy;

(2)     Three semester hours in the essential ele- ments of elementary reading and writing instruction (K through eight);

(3)     Three semester hours in the elements of elementary content area reading and writ- ing (K through eight);

(4)     Six total semester hours in reading assess- ment systems;

(5)     Three semester hours in leadership; and

(6)     Three semester hours of elective courses in an area of focus that will deepen knowl- edge in the teaching of reading to elemen- tary students, such as children’s literature, or teaching reading to English Language Learners.

ii.        Proof of a comparable valid reading specialist certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the requirements described in subsections (H)(2)(c) and (d)(i).

e.         A passing score on the reading endorsement subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment for grades K through eight may be substituted for 21 semester hours of reading endorsement coursework as described in subsection (H)(2)(d)(i).

3.        Reading Endorsement for grades six through 12. The requirements are:

a.         A valid Arizona elementary, secondary, or special education certificate;

b.        Three years of full-time teaching experience;

c.         Three semester hours of supervised field experience or practicum in reading completed for the grades six through 12; and

d.        One of the following:

i.         Twenty-one semester hours beyond require- ments of initial provisional or standard teaching certificate to include the following:

(1)     Three semester hours in the  theoretical and research foundations of language and literacy;

(2)     Three semester hours in the essential ele- ments of reading and writing instruction for adolescents (grades six through 12);

(3)     Three semester hours in the elements of content area reading and writing for ado- lescents (grades six through 12);

(4)     Six total semester hours in reading assess- ment systems;

(5)     Three semester hours in leadership; and

(6)     Three semester hours of elective courses in an area of focus that will deepen knowl- edge in the teaching of reading such as adolescent literature, or teaching reading to English Language Learners.

ii.        Proof of a comparable valid reading specialist certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the requirements described in subsections (H)(3)(c) and (d)(i).

e.         A passing score on the reading endorsement subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment for grades six through 12 may be substituted for 21 semester hours of reading endorsement coursework as described in subsection (H)(3)(d)(i).

4.        Reading  Endorsement  –   grades  K  through  12.  The requirements are:

a.         A valid Arizona elementary, secondary, special edu- cation certificate or early childhood certificate;

b.        Three years of full-time teaching experience;

c.         Three semester hours of a supervised field experi- ence or practicum in reading completed for the grades K through five;

d.        Three semester hours of a supervised field experi- ence or practicum in reading completed for the grades six through 12; and

e.         One of the following:

i.         Twenty-four semester hours beyond require- ments of initial provisional or standard teaching certificate to include the following:

(1)     Three semester hours in the  theoretical and research foundations of language and literacy,

(2)     Three semester hours in the essential ele- ments of elementary reading and writing instruction (grades K through eight),

(3)     Three semester hours in the essential ele- ments of reading and writing instruction for adolescents (grades six through 12),

(4)     Three semester hours in the elements of elementary content area reading and writ- ing (grades K through eight),

(5)     Three semester hours in the elements of content area reading and writing for ado- lescents (grades six through 12),

(6)     Six total semester hours in reading assess- ment systems, and

(7)     Three semester hours in leadership,

ii.        Proof of a comparable valid reading specialist certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the requirements described in subsections (H)(4)(c), (d) and (e)(i).

f.         A passing score on the reading endorsement subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment for grades K through eight and a passing score on the reading endorsement profes- sional knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment for grades six through 12 may be substituted for 24 semester hours of reading

endorsement coursework as described in subsection (H)(4)(e)(i).

I.        Elementary  Foreign  Language  Endorsement  –  grades  K through eight

1.        The elementary foreign language endorsement is optional.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary or special educa- tion certificate.

b.        Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing a lan- guage other than English, verified by the appropriate language department of an accredited institution. American Indian language proficiency shall be veri- fied by an official designated by the appropriate tribe.

c.         Three semester hours of courses in the methods of teaching a foreign language at the elementary level.

J. Bilingual Endorsements – grades K through 12

1.        A provisional bilingual endorsement or a bilingual endorsement is required of an individual who is a bilin- gual classroom teacher, bilingual resource teacher, bilin- gual specialist, or otherwise responsible for providing bilingual instruction.

2.        The provisional bilingual endorsement is valid for three years and is not renewable. The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, supervisor, prin- cipal, superintendent, special education, or CTE cer- tificate; and

b.        Proficiency in a language other than English or sign language.

3.        The holder of the bilingual endorsement is also autho- rized to teach English as a Second Language.

4.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, supervisor, prin- cipal, superintendent, special education, or CTE cer- tificate;

b.        Completion of a bilingual education program from an accredited institution or the following courses:

i.         Three semester hours of foundations of instruc- tion for non-English-language-background stu- dents;

ii.        Three semester hours of bilingual methods;

iii.      Three semester hours of English as a Second Language for bilingual settings;

iv.       Three semester hours of courses in bilingual materials and curriculum, assessment of lim- ited-English-proficient students, teaching read- ing and writing in the native language, or English as a Second Language for bilingual set- tings;

v.        Three semester hours of linguistics to include psycholinguistics, sociolinguistics, first lan- guage acquisition, and second language acqui- sition for language minority students, or American Indian language linguistics;

vi.       Three semester hours of courses dealing with school, community, and family culture and parental involvement in programs of instruction for non-English-language-background stu- dents; and

vii.     Three semester hours of courses in methods of teaching and evaluating handicapped children from non-English-language backgrounds. These hours are only required for bilingual endorsements on special education certificates.

c.         A valid bilingual certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the courses described in subsection (J)(4)(b);

d.        Practicum in a bilingual program or two years of verified bilingual teaching experience; and

e.         Proficiency in a spoken language other than English, verified by the language department of an accredited institution except in the case of Spanish and Ameri- can Indian languages. Spanish language proficiency shall be demonstrated by passing the Arizona Class- room Spanish Proficiency Examination approved by the Board. American Indian language proficiency shall be verified by an official designated by the appropriate tribe.

K.      English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsements – grades K through 12

1.        An ESL or bilingual endorsement is required of an indi- vidual who is an ESL classroom teacher, ESL specialist, ESL resource teacher, or otherwise responsible for pro- viding ESL instruction.

2.        The provisional ESL endorsement is valid for three years and is not renewable. The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, supervisor, prin- cipal, superintendent, special education, or CTE cer- tificate; and

b.        Six semester hours of courses specified in subsec- tion (K)(3)(b), including at least one course in meth- ods of teaching ESL students.

3.        The requirements for the ESL endorsement are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, supervisor, prin- cipal, superintendent, special education, or CTE cer- tificate;

b.        Completion of an ESL education program from an accredited institution or the following courses:

i.         Three semester hours of courses in foundations of instruction for non-English-language-back- ground students. Three semester hours of courses in the nature and grammar of the English language, taken before January 1, 1999, may be substituted for this requirement;

ii.        Three semester hours of ESL methods;

iii.      Three semester hours of teaching of reading and writing to limited-English-proficient stu- dents;

iv.       Three semester hours of assessment of limited- English-proficient students;

v.        Three semester hours of linguistics; and

vi.       Three semester hours of courses dealing with school, community, and family culture and parental involvement in programs of instruction for non-English-language-background stu- dents.

c.         Three semester hours of a practicum or two years of verified ESL or bilingual teaching experience, veri- fied by the district superintendent;

d.        Second language learning experience, which may include sign language. Second language learning experience may be documented by any of the fol- lowing:

i.         Six semester hours of courses in a single sec- ond language, or the equivalent, verified by the department of language, education, or English at an accredited institution;

ii.        Completion of intensive language training by the Peace Corps, the Foreign Service Institute, or the Defense Language Institute;

iii.      Placement by the language department of an accredited institution in a third-semester level;

iv.       Placement at level 1-intermediate/low or more advanced score on the Oral Proficiency Inter- view, verified by the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages;

v.        Passing score on the Arizona Classroom Span- ish Proficiency Examination approved by the Board; or

vi.       Proficiency in an American Indian language, verified by an official designated by the appro- priate tribe.

e.         A valid ESL certificate or endorsement from another state may be substituted for the requirements described in subsection (K)(3)(b), (c) and (d).

L.       Structured English Immersion (SEI) Endorsements – grades K through 12

1.        From and after August 31, 2006, an SEI, ESL or bilingual endorsement is required of all classroom teachers, super- visors, principals and superintendents. For purposes of this rule, “supervisor,” “principal” and “superintendent” means an individual who holds a supervisor, principal or superintendent certificate.

2.        The provisional SEI endorsement is valid for three years and is not renewable. The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, special educa- tion, CTE, supervisor, principal or superintendent certificate; and

b.        For teachers, supervisors, principals and superinten- dents certified on or after August 31, 2006, three semester hours of courses in Structured English Immersion methods of teaching English Language Learner (ELL) students, including but not limited to instruction in SEI strategies, teaching with the ELL Proficiency Standards adopted by the Board and monitoring ELL student academic progress using a variety of assessment tools; or

c.         For teachers, supervisors, principals and superinten- dents certified before August 31, 2006, one semester hour or 15 clock hours of professional development in Structured English Immersion methods of teach- ing ELL students, including but not limited to instruction in SEI strategies, teaching with the ELL Proficiency Standards adopted by the Board and monitoring ELL student academic progress using a variety of assessment tools through a training pro- gram that meets the requirements of A.R.S. § 15- 756.09(B).

3.        The requirements for the SEI endorsement are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, special educa- tion, CTE, supervisor, principal, or superintendent certificate; and

b.        Qualification for the provisional SEI endorsement, and either:

i.         Three semester hours of courses related to the teaching of the English Language Learner Pro- ficiency Standards adopted by the Board, including but not limited to instruction in SEI strategies, teaching with the ELL Proficiency Standards adopted by the Board and monitoring ELL student academic progress using a variety of assessment tools; or

ii.        Completion of 45 clock hours of professional development in the teaching of the English Language Learner Proficiency Standards adopted by the Board, including but not limited

to instruction in SEI strategies, teaching with the ELL Proficiency Standards adopted by the Board and monitoring ELL student academic progress using a variety of assessment tools through a training program that meets the requirements of A.R.S. § 15-756.09(B).

4.        Nothing in this Section prevents school districts from requiring certified staff to obtain an ESL or bilingual endorsement as a condition of employment.

5.        The requirements for a Provisional SEI endorsement may be waived for a period not to exceed one year in accor- dance with certification reciprocity as prescribed in R7-2- 621.

6.        The requirements for a Provisional SEI endorsement may be waived for a period not to exceed one year for individ- uals who graduate from administrator or teacher prepara- tion programs that are not approved by the Board and meet all other applicable certification requirements.

7.        The requirements for a Provisional SEI endorsement may be waived for a period not to exceed one year for individ- uals who apply and otherwise qualify for a Provisional or Standard CTE Certificate pursuant to R7-2-612 under any option that does not require a valid Arizona teaching cer- tificate.

8.        An ESL or Bi-lingual endorsement obtained by a supervi- sor, principal, or superintendent on an Arizona teaching certificate may be added to a supervisor, principal, or superintendent certificate in order to satisfy the require- ment in subsection (L)(1).

M.     Gifted Endorsements – grades K through 12

1.        A gifted endorsement is required of individuals whose primary responsibility is teaching gifted students.

2.        The provisional  gifted  endorsement is  valid for three years and is not renewable. The requirements are an Ari- zona elementary, secondary, or special education certifi- cate and one of the following:

a.         Two years of verified teaching experience in which most students were gifted,

b.        Ninety clock hours of verified in-service training in gifted education, or

c.         Six semester hours of courses in gifted education.

3.        Requirements for the gifted endorsement are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, or special educa- tion certificate;

b.        Completion of nine semester hours of upper division or graduate level courses in an academic discipline such as science, mathematics, language arts, foreign language, social studies, psychology, fine arts, or computer science; and

c.         Two of the following:

i.         Three years of verified teaching experience in gifted education as a teacher, resource teacher, specialist, or similar position, verified by the district; or

ii.        A minimum of 135 clock hours of verified in- service training in gifted education; or

iii.      Completion of 12 semester hours of courses in gifted education. District in-service programs in gifted education may be substituted for up to six semester hours of gifted education courses. Fifteen clock hours of in-service is equivalent to one semester hour. In-service hours shall be verified by the district superintendent or per- sonnel director. Practicum courses shall not be accepted toward this requirement; or

iv.       Completion of six semester hours of practicum or two years of verified teaching experience in which most students were gifted.

N.      Early Childhood Education Endorsement – birth through age 8

1.        When combined with an Arizona elementary education teaching certificate or an Arizona special education teaching certificate, the Early Childhood Endorsement may be used in lieu of an early childhood education cer- tificate as described in R7-2-608. When combined with an Arizona cross-categorical, specialized special educa- tion, or severe and profound teaching certificate as described in R7-2-611, the Early Childhood endorsement may be used in lieu of an Early Childhood Special Educa- tion certificate.

2.        An endorsement shall be automatically renewed with the certificate on which it is posted.

3.        The requirements are:

a.         A valid Arizona elementary education teaching cer- tificate as provided in R7-2-609 or a valid Arizona special education teaching certificate as provided in R7-2-611,

b.        Early childhood education coursework and practi- cum experience which includes both of the follow- ing:

i.         Twenty-one semester hours of early childhood education courses to include all of the follow- ing areas of study:

(1)     Foundations of early childhood education;

(2)     Child guidance and classroom manage- ment;

(3)     Characteristics and  quality practices for typical and atypical behaviors of young children;

(4)     Child growth and development, including health, safety and nutrition;

(5)     Child, family, cultural and community relationships;

(6)     Developmentally appropriate instruc- tional methodologies for teaching lan- guage, math, science, social studies and the arts;

(7)     Early language and literacy development;

(8)     Assessing, monitoring and reporting prog- ress of young children; and

ii.        A minimum of eight semester hours of practi- cum including:

(1)     A minimum of four semester hours in a supervised field experience, practicum, internship or student teaching setting serv- ing children birth through preschool. One year of full-time verified teaching experi- ence with children in birth through pre- school may substitute for this student teaching experience. This verification may come from a school-based education pro- gram or center-based program licensed by the Department of Health Services or reg- ulated by tribal or military authorities; and

(2)     A minimum of four semester hours in a supervised student teaching setting serv- ing children in kindergarten through grade three. One year of full-time verified teach- ing experience with children in kindergar- ten through grade three in an accredited school may substitute for this student teaching experience;

c.         A valid fingerprint clearance card issued by the Ari- zona Department of Public Safety, and

d.        A passing score on the early childhood professional knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment may be substituted for the 21 semester hours of early childhood education courses as described in subsection (N)(3)(b)(i); and

e.         A passing score on the early childhood subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment.

4.        Teachers with a valid Arizona elementary education cer- tificate or Arizona special education certificate as of July 1, 2012 meet the requirements of this Section with evi- dence of the following:

a.         A minimum of three years infant/toddler, preschool or kindergarten through grade three classroom teaching experience within 10 years prior to July 1, 2012; and

b.        A passing score on the early childhood subject knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Profi- ciency Assessment.

O.      Library-Media Specialist Endorsement – grades K through 12

1.        The library-media specialist endorsement is optional.

2.        Requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary, secondary, or special educa- tion certificate;

b.        A passing score on the Library Media Specialist por- tion of the Arizona Teacher Proficiency Assessment. A master’s degree in Library Science may be substi- tuted for a passing score on the assessment; and

c.         One year of teaching experience.

P.       Middle Grade Endorsement – grades five through nine

1.        The middle grade endorsement is optional. The middle grade endorsement may expand the grades a teacher is authorized to teach on an elementary or secondary certifi- cate.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona elementary or secondary certificate, and

b.        Six semester hours of courses in middle grade edu- cation to include:

i.         One course in early adolescent psychology;

ii.        One course in middle grade curriculum; and

iii.      A practicum or one year of verified teaching experience, in grades five through nine.

Q.      Drivers Education Endorsement

1.        The drivers education endorsement is optional.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         An Arizona teaching certificate,

b.        A valid Arizona driver’s license,

c.         One course in each of the following:

i.         Safety education,

ii.        Driver and highway safety education, and

iii.      Driver education laboratory experience, and

d.        A driving record with less than seven violation points and no revocation or suspension of driver’s license within the two years preceding application.

R.      Cooperative Education Endorsement – grades K through 12

1.        The cooperative education endorsement is required for individuals who coordinate or teach CTE.

2.        The requirements are:

a.         A provisional or standard CTE certificate in  the areas of agriculture, business, family and consumer sciences, health occupations, marketing, or indus- trial technology; and

b.        One course in CTE.

Historical Note

Adopted effective December 4, 1998 (Supp. 98-4).

Amended by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 1132, effective March 10, 2000 (Supp. 00-1). Amended by exempt

rulemaking at 15 A.A.R. 1838, effective August 29, 2006 (Supp. 09-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 15

A.A.R. 1306, effective September 26, 2006 (Supp. 09-1). Former R7-2-615 recodified to R7-2-616; new R7-2-615 recodified from R7-2-614 at 15 A.A.R. 2146, effective August 25, 2008 (Supp. 09-4). Former R7-2-615 recodi- fied to R7-2-616; new R7-2-615 recodified from R7-2- 614 at 16 A.A.R. 68, effective December 8, 2008 (Supp. 10-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 52, effective December 8, 2008 (Supp. 10-1). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 119, effective Septem- ber 21, 2009 (Supp. 10-2). Amended by exempt rulemak-

ing at 16 A.A.R. 129, effective September 21, 2009 (Supp. 10-2). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16

A.A.R. 734, effective July 1, 2011 (Supp. 10-3). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 1249, effective May 24, 2010 (Supp. 10-4). Amended by

exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 1496, effective July 1,

2011 (Supp. 11-1).