CLDE Credential as a condition of continued employment in APS

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to complete my CLDE Credential and when should I start?

All licensed staff complete their CLDE Credential coursework to March 15 of the third year beginning with 2016-2017 hires. We strongly recommend starting CLDE Credential coursework the second year in order to finish coursework on time. As long as you take at least one course your second year, you will be on track to finishing coursework by your March 15th deadline your third year (provided you take one course a quarter in Year 3, Quarters 1-3).

I’ve already taken CLDE coursework in a different district or through a university. Can I transfer these credits?

Previously, APS has only accepted a Colorado Department of Education endorsement, university major in CLDE or graded/degree-seeking courses with an explicit focus in CLDE/ESL/TESOL towards the APS requirement. This is in connection with the APS agreement with the Office for Civil Rights and the need to guarantee accredited coursework that meets specific components laid out in this agreement.

Beginning June 2023, this process has been adjusted in order to allow the Colorado Department of Education's recently enacted English Learner Professional Learning (EL PD) Designation to be applied towards a maximum of one of the four required courses for the APS CLDE Credential (in the "choice course" category). Additionally, if professional learning from another district, out of state, or other professional learning provider can be used to demonstrate the CDE EL PD Designation requirements (at least 45 hours and meets all of CDE's required standards and elements), it can also be considered towards the equivalence of a maximum of one course in the choice course category. This flowchart lays out the revised process and includes details of how applicable coursework will be determined.

Qualification Types 6-2023.png

If you have documentation that shows that you have met the CDE English Learner PD requirements, please email cldepl@aurorak12.org with your attached CDE certificate attached. Here is an example of the designation that should be reflected on your Colorado teaching certificate. If you do not hold the CDE EL PD Designation on your license but believe you have other applicable coursework, as explained in the flowchart, you may also send that completion to this email address for review by the CLDE PL Team.

In addition, if you have university coursework or a CLDE endorsement on your license, please send this documentation to cldepl@aurorak12.org for review.

I have completed the CDE relicensure requirement for CLDE professional learning and I have that box checked on my license. Does this count towards my APS CLDE Credential?

The CDE requirement is different from the APS CLDE Credential, and it does not meet the necessary criteria for the APS requirement. The Colorado Department of Education CLDE professional learning licensing requirement calls for 45 contact hours (90 hours for undergrad programs) that demonstrate the standards and elements set forth by CDE. These can be met very generally and are not the same as the CDE CLDE endorsement.

In contrast, the APS CLDE Credential program consists of 96+ hours and the learning is more targeted than that accepted by CDE for this particular requirement. These targeted outcomes are in alignment with the APS agreement with the Office for Civil Rights. For this reason, APS can accept the CDE English Learner Professional Learning Designation towards a maximum of one out of 4 courses (choice course category). For additional courseework, APS can only accept university level coursework or a CDE endorsement towards the APS credential requirement. Individual courses with an explicit focus on linguistic diversity (ie CLDE/ESL/ELD/TESOL listed in the course title and description) are eligible for review to determine whether they meet the criteria for a portion of the APS requirement. Please submit university transcripts to cldepl@aurorak12.org.

Please see the question above for information for how the CDE English Learner Professional Learning Desgination can be applied to your choice course requirement.

A "yes" in this box on your license is does not meet the criteria for the APS CLDE Credential.

My license is Elementary K-6 but I teach at a secondary school/in a secondary grade level? What do I do?

Beginning with 2016-2017 hires, clarification has been added to ensure that the APS CLDE Credential is based on licensure so please refer to the group that corresponds with your educator’s license. Please contact us for individual questions for exceptions to requirements based on role when applicable.

I’m a TOSA. What do I do?

The APS CLDE Credential as a condition of continued employment is based on licensure so please refer to the group that corresponds with your educator’s license. If you have a principal’s license but are in a TOSA role, you are still held to the CLDE Credential based on your teaching license.

Can I still take these classes through a university?

APS no longer sponsors tuition for university level coursework. If you want to continue with university coursework on your own towards a CLDE endorsement, one option you can explore on your own is the Teach Grant (which you can use towards any university). If you choose to pursue this option, most CLDE-focused university level coursework meets the requirements for the APS CLDE Credential (1 university level course is equivalent to 1 APS CLDE professional learning course). Please contact the CLDE Professional Learning Team to ensure your specific CLDE Credential requirements are met through your proposed university program. Please note, any outside university coursework would still adhere to the March 15th of your third year deadline.

I have my K-12 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education Masters or Endorsement. Do I need to do anything?

Licensed employees with a CLDE Masters or a CLDE Endorsement through CDE meet the APS CLDE Credential requirement; however introductory coursework may be required to orient new employees to CLDE in APS (ie New Educator Orientation and Foundations of CLDE). Please be sure to submit your university transcript for review to cldepl@aurorak12.org

I was hired through an Alternative Licensure Program. When is my CLDE Credential deadline?

Unless a specific extension has been arranged with HR, the standard deadline applies (March 15 of the employee's third year).

I started mid-year of my hire year. Do I get more time to complete my CLDE Credential?

All licensed employees hired within a hire year (January-December), regardless of which month they were hired in, are held to the same CLDE Credential timeline.

I was hired on a one year only contract and rehired the next year. When is my deadline?

The deadline for licensed employees is calculated based on the first year of hire, regardless of OYO status. Employees must meet their APS CLDE Credential requirements by March 15 of their third year from their initial hire date. Contact your HR director for further clarification regarding official start dates.

I am currently working on something else (master’s degree, induction, etc.). Can I wait one more year to begin my COE coursework?

The APS CLDE Credential requirements must be met by the end of your third year of employment, regardless of other commitments. We strongly recommend teachers begin COE coursework the first semester of their second year. If you have a specific question, you may contact your HR director.

I have a prior commitment during one or more of the face-to-face sessions for my class/blended workshop. What’s the attendance policy?

Because there are very few face to face sessions, it is extremely important that all participants are present. If you have a conflict, we suggest either registering for a section that does not conflict with your schedule or attending another section's face to face time in lieu of your own, if available. Please communicate with Harmony Looper, Jessica Spanel or your course instructor.

What credit is provided for CLDE Professional Learning Courses? What is the difference between the types of credit awarded for professional learning in APS?

Most CLDE Professional Learning coursework provides both Licensed Renewal Contact Hours (aka relicensure credit) as well as APS District Credit (aka salary advancement) upon successful completion of each course. APS District Credit is only awarded when coursework takes place outside of the employee's contracted duty day. The majority of the courses offered by CLDE Professional Learning provide 24 contact hours, which translates to 24 licensed renewal hours and, if applicable, 1.6 APS District credit hours (for salary advancement).

See below for more information from APS Professional Learning Department:

License Renewal Contact Hours*

Licensed staff members who participate in approved professional learning opportunities during contract time can receive Colorado Department of Education (CDE) License Renewal Contact Hours if all course expectations have been met.
The number of hours awarded will match contact hours.
CDE License Renewal Contact Hours cannot be used for horizontal advancement on the salary scale.

APS District Credit

Licensed staff members who participate in professional learning opportunities outside contract time may receive district credit if all course expectations have been met.
When approved, district credit will be awarded in half credit increments with 15 hours of direct contact time equal to one district credit (7.5 contact hours = .5 credit, 15 contact hours = 1.0 credit).
Aurora Public Schools District Credit can be used for horizontal advancement on the salary scale.

University or College Credit

Credits taken at a college or university are processed through the Department of Human Resources.
University or college credit will not be recorded on the educator’s professional learning transcript. It is the educator’s responsibility to provide the Department of Human Resources with an official transcript and to keep a copy of the college or university transcript for his/her personal records.

Still have a question?

Please email the CLDE Professional Learning Team. When you email, please include your hire date and your location, APS ID Number, license-type and role.