World Language Teacher Education: Alternative Pathways to Licensure
Do you already have a Bachelor's degree? Do you still need to obtain your teacher's license in order to teach? Then consider exploring some alternative pathways to licensure.
Wisconsin's legislation (PI 34.34) states that someone with a Bachelor's degree in foreign languages may receive a teaching license with 100 hours of training (provided by an approved program provider).
The State Department of Public Instruction (DPI) does not require you to complete a bachelor's degree specifically in Italian if you already have a Bachleor's degree, but they do require that you complete a state-approved program in Italian.
As a first step, you may want to meet with a campus that has a state-approved program in Italian and see if they would allow you to test out of some of the course work required for a license in Italian. They would then make a decision about how that may (or may not) work. For more information, refer to the UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee programs.
Information on the Alternative Licensure Process
- Alternative Teacher Licensure (exit WisItalia to DPI) - Information on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website for alternative teacher licensure.
- Approved Providers of Alternative Licensure
(exit WisItalia to DPI; Word) - Listing of providers of this alternative licensure found on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website.
NOTE: For foreign languages, view the information found in the listing of providers for "Proficiency-Based Licensure (PBL) CESA 1 Program." More information for this program is provided in the next section on this page.
Proficiency-Based Licensure (PBL) CESA 1 Program
"Are you a licensed teacher and want to expand your licensure to a high-need area? Or, do you want to become a licensed teacher? If you answered yes to either of these questions, the Proficiency Based Licensure Program (PBL) may be right for you. CESA #1 is able to help you become certified in ... Bilingual Education, ... Foreign Language, ..." To learn more, view
CESA 1 Home Page - Then select "Licensure" in the top navigation bar.
- Overview of the Proficiency-Based Licensure (PBL) Program (exit WisItalia to CESA1, pdf) - To participate in the PBL Program, candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. The PBL program provides an opportunity for adults to obtain their initial educator teaching license.
- Overview of the Proficiency-Based Licensure (PBL) Pre-Registration Program (exit WisItalia to CESA1, pdf) - For candidates who do not yet have a teaching position, you may be able to participate in the Proficiency-Based Licensure Pre-Registration program. Through this program, The Center for Education Innovation and Regional Economic Development evaluates candidate information to determine eligibility for the PBL program.
- Overview of the Proficiency-Based Licensure (PBL) Requirements (exit WisItalia to CESA1, pdf) - Summary information on the eligibility requirements leading to licensure.
Alternative Licensure Legislation
- Alternative Licensure Legislation (exit WisItalia to DPI) - Linked directly from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) website.
Here are the details of the Alternative Licensure Legislation:
(11) PROFESSIONAL TEACHING PERMITS. (a) A permit, which authorizes the holder to teach mathematics, science, music, art, foreign language or computer science may be issued to a person who meets all of the qualifications under this subdivision. The initial permit shall be issued for a 2-year period and may be renewed for a 5-year period as specified under pars. (f) and (g). (b) An applicant who holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering, music, art, foreign language, computer science, mathematics or science and meets the requirements under s. 118.192 (2), Stats., may be issued a permit to teach in the subject area corresponding to the applicant’s degree. Under this subdivision, a certificate issued by the American sign language teachers association, which verifies teacher competency in instructing American sign language, shall be considered the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree. A person holding a certificate issued by the American sign language teachers association may be issued a permit to teach the content in s. 118.017 (2), Stats. A person holding a bachelor’s degree in engineering may be issued a permit to teach the subject areas of mathematics, science, or technology education. An applicant for a permit under this subdivision is subject to a background investigation required under s. 118.19 (10), Stats. To receive a permit under this subdivision, an applicant shall satisfactorily complete an alternative teacher training program consisting of approximately 100 hours of formal instruction in the application of modern curricula in the subject area in which he or she holds a degree. A fee sufficient to cover the costs of the program may be charged to applicants.
(c) Successful completion of the 100-hour alternative teacher training program under par. (b) shall be measured by receiving a passing score on a standardized examination under s. PI 34.15 (2) (a) as determined by the state superintendent in the major that certifies the applicant’s competency to teach in the subject area in which he or she will receive a permit.
(d) Upon satisfactory completion of the alternative teacher training program under par. (c), an initial 2-year permit shall be issued which authorizes the holder to teach the subject area in which he or she holds a permit. The initial 2-year permit holder shall be supervised by a teacher who holds a Wisconsin license. In this paragraph, "supervised" means the licensed teacher is available to coordinate, direct, and inspect the practice of the person holding the initial permit. An initial permit holder may not be hired to remove a regularly licensed teacher from his or her position.
(e) The state superintendent may contract with qualified providers for the 100-hour alternative teacher training program under par. (b).
(f) An initial permit issued under this subdivision may be renewed for 5 year periods upon successful completion of the 2-year permit period. Successful completion of the 2-year initial permit period under this subparagraph shall be measured by positive testimony from the supervising teacher and building administrator that the initial permit holder has achieved basic competence in the commonly accepted standards of teaching under s. PI 34.02. Successful completion of the initial 2-year permit period may be interpreted as equivalent to the requirements under s. 118.19 (3) (a), Stats.
(g) The requirements in s. PI 34.18 (2) apply to subsequent renewals of the permit.
Questions?
Contact: Pam Delfosse, World Languages Education Consultant Pamela.delfosse@dpi.wi.gov, 608 266-3079.
