LAC 28:CXXXI.513. World Language Certificate (WLC) PK-12

A. WLC certificate is valid for six years and may be issued to a foreign associate teacher who participates in the LDE Foreign Associate Teacher Program, and who teaches world language and/or immersion in grades PK-12. B. WLC certificate allows the holder to receive the same benefits as a regularly certified teacher. C. Eligibility guidelines: 1. minimum of baccalaureate degree in education or equivalent preparation in education from a foreign country with the status of the degree determined by the LDOE, or if LDOE staff cannot make a degree equivalent determination, the candidate credentials must be evaluated by a credentialing agency that is an endorsed member or a member in good standing with either the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE) with the course-by-course evaluation and U.S. degree equivalence; 2. a teaching certificate in the foreign country for the certification area and/or grade level that the candidate will teach in Louisiana; 3. evidence of two years of successful teaching experience in the country of origin with all out-of-state experience verified as successful by the out-of-state employing authority or SEA; and 4. a native speaker of the language being taught. 5. A request for issuance must be submitted by the Louisiana employing authority or LDOE World Languages Office. D. Renewal Guidelines. Valid for six years initially and may be renewed thereafter for a period of six years at the request of a Louisiana employing authority. For renewal of a WLC certificate, candidates must successfully meet the standards of effectiveness for at least three years during the six-year initial or renewal period pursuant to state law and Bulletin 130. E. Professional Certificate. A professional level 1 certificate may be issued after successful completion of exam requirements in accordance with §303 of this Part. F. A foreign language teacher in a certified foreign language immersion program who cannot be certified or issued a license to teach through the board's Foreign Associate Teacher Program may be allowed to teach without passing the required examination, provided the teacher has at least a baccalaureate degree and complies with state laws regarding a criminal background check.