In addition to earning an initial professional educator license (PEL) in elementary, secondary, or K-12 content area, teacher candidates can earn an additional/subsequent teaching endorsement in several areas. These subsequent endorsements serve as an additional qualification applied to the content and grade range of candidates’ initial PEL.
Subsequent endorsements that can be added to the initial license include:
- English as a Second Language (ESL) (grades PK-12)
- Bilingual Education (BLE) (grades PK-12)
- Learning Behavioral Specialist 1 (LBS1) (grades K-22)
- Middle School (grades 5-8)
- Additional Secondary (grades 9-12) or K-12 content areas
These additional/subsequent endorsements are currently only available to candidates who earn their initial licensure at Lake Forest College, as standards for each endorsement are integrated across multiple courses required in the Education program. Candidates must also take at least one additional advanced seminar for the ESL/Bilingual and LBS1 subsequent endorsements. Some candidates must also take an additional fieldwork practicum course for the middle school or secondary/K-12 content area subsequent endorsements.
See below requirements for each subsequent endorsement.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Education (BLE) Subsequent Endorsements (grades PK-12)
The proportion of the U.S. population—and of its students—who speak one or more languages other than English at home continues to grow, a reflection of the world’s rich linguistic diversity. As a result, there is a need for highly qualified, caring educators who will nurture the linguistic, cultural, and intellectual diversity of a diverse U.S. student population and who will sustain student’s diverse linguistic repertoires as they transition to an all-English learning environment.
The ESL and Bilingual Education PK-12 additional endorsements prepare educators to support students from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds, including those for whom English is an additional language. Through rigorous and enriching coursework, clinical experiences in linguistically and culturally diverse settings, and caring mentorship across disciplines, candidates are equipped with the theoretical knowledge and competencies to support ESL and bilingual students’ academic growth and personal success.
Candidates pursuing the ESL and Bilingual subsequent endorsements will gain deep knowledge about how students learn languages, including the complex and intricate ways linguistic practices interface with cognitive, cultural, and epistemic practices in diverse and interconnected social contexts. Fired by a passion to support and advocate for all students and a commitment to equity and social justice, ESL and Bilingual educators practice dynamic and innovative strategies for tapping and nurturing the rich funds of linguistic and cultural knowledge students and their communities bring.
Who can earn an ESL or Bilingual subsequent endorsement:
- All Lake Forest College teacher candidates can earn a subsequent ESL endorsement.
- Multilingual teacher candidates can earn a subsequent bilingual endorsement in one or more target language of instruction. ·
*These endorsements are also available for Lake Forest College Education alumni who graduated in 2020 or later.
Requirements for ESL and Bilingual Endorsement (in addition to requirements for PEL):
- EDUC 215
- LING 300
- Fieldwork in an ESL and/or bilingual context (via EDUC 303/403 or 315/415)
- EDUC 448/548
- Consultation with Education advisor and Lake Forest College Education Licensure Officer
Additional Requirements for Bilingual Endorsement:
- Passing score on target language proficiency test (or degree completed in target language)
- 100 clinical hours or 3 months in bilingual setting (pre-approved by Lake Forest College Education licensure officer)
*For alumni to apply, complete the Educational Endorsement Application or contact the Education Department Program Coordinator, Adrienne Thoms at 847 735-5169 or thoms@lakeforest.edu by August 15.
Learning Behavioral Specialist 1 (LBS1) Subsequent Endorsement (grades K-22)
The LBS1 (Special Education) K-22 additional endorsement prepares candidates to support students with diverse learning needs, including students with disabilities, in a variety of settings. At a time when the number of students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Accommodation Plans, both guided by the Individuals with Disabilities Act (ADA), are on rise, this endorsement equips passionate educators with the theoretical knowledge and strategies to work with and advocate for students and their families, and to support a school (or district) in helping students succeed both in special education settings and in the general education curriculum.
Special educators are extraordinary teachers with deep knowledge and passion for working with students of diverse learning and behavioral needs as well as their families and the school community in providing exceptional learning opportunities to their students. The LBS1 subsequent endorsement provides candidates with critical historical, legislative, legal, and cultural perspectives on special education, solid foundation on the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and communication development of individuals and variations thereof, and practiced familiarity with evidence-based strategies for assessment, planning and instruction, the learning environment, collaboration with multiple partners, and a range of professional and leadership experiences through which to nurture the growth and success of diverse students.
Who can earn an LBS1 endorsement:
- All Lake Forest College teacher candidates can earn a subsequent LBS1 endorsement.
- *These endorsements are also available for Lake Forest College Education alumni who graduated 2020 or later.
Requirements for LBS1 endorsement (in addition to requirements for PEL:
- EDUC 314/414
- EDUC 486/586
- Passing score on LBS I (155 or 290) content test
- Consultation with Education advisor and Lake Forest College Education Licensure Officer
*For alumni to apply, complete the Educational Endorsement Application or contact the Education Department Program Coordinator, Adrienne Thoms at 847 735-5169 or thoms@lakeforest.edu by August 15.
Middle School Subsequent Endorsement (grades 5-8)
Secondary candidates will meet the course requirements for the subsequent middle school endorsement in their relevant content area through earning their initial PEL at Lake Forest College. This includes completing their content area major requirements, their Education course requirements, and completing their fieldwork practicum in a middle school classroom (via EDUC 315/415).
In addition to PEL requirements, the requirements for secondary candidates earning a subsequent middle school endorsement include:
- Successful passing score on relevant middle grades content test
Elementary and K-12 candidates with enough course credit in a content relevant to science, social studies, mathematics, or English language arts can earn a subsequent middle school teaching endorsement in that content area.
Requirements for elementary and K-12 candidates earning a middle school endorsement include (in addition to PEL requirements):
- 18 semester hours of credit in a content relevant to science, social studies, mathematics, or English language arts
- Middle school fieldwork in a science, social studies, mathematics, or English language arts classroom (via EDUC 406/506)
- Successful passing score on relevant middle grades content test
- Methods coursework in the content area (K-12 candidates only)
- Consultation with Education advisor and Lake Forest College Education Licensure Officer
Secondary or PK-12 Content Area Subsequent Endorsement
All teacher candidates with enough course credit in a content relevant to secondary or K-12 content areas outside of their PEL content area can earn a subsequent teaching endorsement in that grade band and content area.
Requirements for Subsequent Secondary or K-12 Content Area Endorsement (in addition to PEL requirements):
- 18 semester hours of credit in relevant content area, including methods coursework:
- Secondary: biology, chemistry, physics, history, mathematics, English
- K-12: Spanish, French, visual arts, music
- Fieldwork in relevant grade band and content area (via EDUC 406/506)
- Successful passing score on relevant secondary or K-12 content test
- Consultation with Education advisor and Lake Forest College Licensure Officer
*Secondary science and history candidates with 12 semester hours of credit in a relevant content within their subject area can earn an additional/subsequent endorsement (e.g., chemistry endorsement added on to biology PEL). See the Lake Forest College Licensure Officer for more details.