Jin Jones

ESOL #1

The Consent Decree and ESOL Competencies

• As a new student in the College of Education and Human Performance, you will face many
challenging situations in your profession. Of immediate concern is a court action known
as the Florida Consent Degree that deals with ESOL (English for Speakers of Other
Languages). As this will have application throughout your career, learn what the court has
decreed. Visit the following online resources to complete this activity.
Answer these questions:
1a) What was the basis of the lawsuit which brought about the Consent Decree?

The Consent Decree came from the court case between the League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC) v. State Board of Education Consent Decree. The lawsuit came about when it
was realized that students of limited English proficiency were not receiving special help due to
their inability to speak English. The decree mandates that every educator in early education,
elementary education and English education be endorsed in English to Speakers of Other
Languages (ESOL).

1b) What impact has it had on teacher competencies?

The Consent Decree supports the Civil Rights of English Language Learners (ELL) students and
it also provides them the right to equal access to all education programs. Since the court case, in-
service training has been provided for teachers to assist them with teaching ESOL classes.
Teachers can obtain this kind of necessary training through university course work or through
school district provided instruction.
2a) How was this action by LULAC an example of what advocacy can achieve for supporting
the needs and rights of diverse learners?
Under the Civil Rights Act that was passed in 1964, along with others, everyone is legally
granted an equality in education. This action by LULAC is a great example of how advocacy for
a change in education can help students of diverse backgrounds receive the education needed to
succeed. These students can now have a classroom that fits all of their needs in order to
successfully learn instead of feeling held back and confused on the information given.
2b) How is this related to multicultural education objectives?
This is related to multicultural education because students not only deserve an education that is
understandable, but also one that is well-balanced and teaches all cultures. Through a diverse
teaching curriculum, a student is able to find themselves in the information taught. Whereas, if
the approach of teaching was primarily “white-oriented,” students of different cultures may find
the information unrelatable and not feel engaged in the classroom.
 Jin Jones

3) What are the course requirements for ESOL endorsement?

To be honest, I was a little confused by the question, so I went to the UCF catalog and here’s
what I found. In order to get an ESOL endorsement, a student must take 15 credits and a student
has an option of which courses to take for some sections.

4a) What is the ESOL Infusion Model used in the UCF College of Education and Human
Performance?
The ESOL Infusion Model puts part of the ESOL requirements into the education courses at
UCF. The infusions contains two courses that are required (TSL 4081 and TSL 4240) and
integrates 25 ESOL standards into the curriculums of the two courses.
4b) What end product is required to demonstrate these competencies?
The end product of this is a TESOL Notebook that will be assessed on the ESOL Performance
profile (known a ESOL Portfolio Via).