I would not get a master's degree out of state unless it was in special
ed. The districts with which I am familiar don't really hire folks for
regular ed with a master's degree.

L

On 5/31/09, Lily wrote:
> On 5/31/09, sped wrote:
>> On 5/30/09, Laura wrote:
>>
>>>" BTW: I really don't want to debate bilingual vs. ESL. This is
>>> the way the state law is written."
>>
>> OK, then accept what I say without debate...
>>
>>> In Illinois if a school has 20 or more
>>> students that are not proficient in English and speak the same
>>> language, the students must be taught in their native language
>>> in addition to learning English.
>>>
>>> So what happens is ... kids have bilingual education if they
>>> speak a language with a large population.
>>
>> Well, you're kind of right. State law says what you say it does, but
>> many times districts can't provide bilingual education because there
>> just aren't people to staff the positions. Even the more common
>> languages like Polish and Spanish are hard to fill, but usually get
>> filled, even if its with someone with no teaching degree who speaks
>> the language and has a college degree. My district has even gone to
>> Mexico and Spain to find Spanish speakers, and came back with MDs
>> from Mexico and even one former Provincial legislator from Spain, but
>> they had never taught.
>>
>> District 54 in Schaumburg, for instance, has had a Japanese Bilingual
>> job opening for several years, because they have a population that
>> requires it, but absolutely no candidates. Not even someone with a
>> college degree, no teaching experience, who speaks Japanese. I know
>> the ELL/Billingual administrator over there, and he's even tried to
>> get one of the student's parents to teach, but its not happening.
>> So, these kids are educated by an ELL teacher, because there's no
>> other option.
>>
>> Also, there are some districts that just ignore the law, and ISBE
>> hasn't slapped their hand yet. Plainfield District 202 has a growing
>> Spanish population, and they have practically no ESL/Bilingual
>> services. I know two teachers who teach in that district and they
>> have Spanish speakers, and others, with no to minimal English skills
>> in their classrooms with no support. Maybe an ELL administrator's
>> phone number comes along with the student, and a call to them will
>> get a suggestion like seeing if a student could translate.
>>
>> ESL jobs are more in demand than regular elementary or high school
>> social science, but you're right that Bilingual Spanish and a few
>> other languages are highly sought after. Still, if you're looking to
>> add an endorsement to get a job, and don't want to work special
>> education, then this might be a good option.
>>
>
> I see what you all are saying. I don't know spanish or any other
> language. I'm trying to figure out how to make myself more marketable
> when I move back. Getting a bilingual endorsement is not going to
> happen. The only thing is I'll be ELL/ESL endorsed...thats it. But,
> I'm considering a masters in early literacy w/ reading endorsement.
> BUT,I'm not sure if I should wait and get the masters in Illinois or
> do it now. Not sure if having the masters and the way ecomony is. Not
> sure if districts in this time are willing to pay someone with a
> masters. Is that something I should worry about? I'm conflicted over
> this decision. It'll take me 14 months to finish the masters if I do
> go ahead with it. The decision will be to move to Il w/ B.S. ESL
> endorsement OR move back w/ a M.S. Early literacy w/ reading
> endorsement AND be ESL endorsed. What to do??????
>>

Share This Post | Report This Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one