MLL Proficiency and Awareness
Rhode Island’s Blueprint for Multilingual Learner Success and accompanying Strategic Plan for MLL Success articulate the statewide importance of a high-quality instructional system that includes professional learning and a shared responsibility of all educators working with multilingual learners. Section §3.12.C of the Regulations Governing the Education of Multilingual Learners 200-RICR 20-30-3 specifies that teachers, administrators, and other personnel employed in Rhode Island schools must demonstrate proficiency or awareness according to their role. Proficiency and awareness are aligned to MLL Competencies and differentiated by the breadth and depth of knowledge, skills, and application. RIDE is providing support to LEAs through a series of Implementation Briefs. Brief 2 – Proficiency and Awareness Requirements, published in June 2025, details requirements for all RI educators to be prepared to meet the vision stated in the RI Blueprint for MLL Success: All multilingual learners in the state of RI are empowered with high-quality instructional opportunities, including multilingual education, that leverage their cultural and linguistic assets, promote college and career readiness, and prepare them to thrive socially, politically, and economically, both in our state and globally.
For additional information, please review the following:
Educators can demonstrate awareness through RIDE-approved professional learning or completion of any of the proficiency pathways as detailed in Brief 2 – Proficiency and Awareness Requirements.
Please note that RIDE does not require all teachers to hold certification as a Teacher of English to Speakers of other Languages (ESOL); however, LEAs may establish local requirements that go beyond the state minimum requirements outlined in Brief 2.
UPDATED: The RI MLL Awareness Course is housed on the RIDE Canvas platform. Users can self-enroll in the course, and it is cost-free to all RI educators. Note that LEA Canvas accounts are not associated with RIDE Canvas accounts. School district's Canvas logins will not directly connect to RIDE Canvas courses; users must create a separate RIDE Canvas account to access the RI MLL Awareness Course. Please see the information below for NEW and RETURNING users:
- For NEW users who do not have a preexisting RIDE Canvas account, click this link to create your account and register for the RI MLL Awareness Course: https://ride.instructure.com/enroll/M7W3H4
- For RETURNING users who already have a RIDE Canvas account, click this link to return to the RIDE Canvas login page: https://ride.instructure.com/login/canvas
- If you have already created a RIDE Canvas account and need to reset your password, use the link immediately above in the second bullet, which has a "Forgot Password" option.
- If you are in need of a course code, the RI MLL Awareness Course Code is: M7W3H4
For Educators:
Educators can demonstrate proficiency as detailed in Brief 2 – Proficiency and Awareness Requirements.
Please note that RIDE does not require all teachers to hold certification as a Teacher of English to Speakers of other Languages (ESOL); however, LEAs may establish local requirements that go beyond the state minimum requirements outlined in Brief 2.
If you are interested in pursuing the current MLL endorsement, please visit the MLL Endorsement section of RIDE’s certification webpage for a list of MLL endorsement providers approved through June 30, 2027.
For MLL Proficiency Providers:
The Rhode Island Department of Education is seeking providers from higher education institutions, professional learning providers, non-profit organizations, and vendors to become an approved provider of MLL proficiency program. Approved providers, via the MLL proficiency program, will develop educator knowledge in the five MLL Competencies – Proficiency Indicators, grounded in the TESOL standards, meeting the expectations for proficiency in accordance with the RI Multilingual Learner Regulations 200-RICR-20-30-3.
Application: Organizations interested in becoming RIDE-approved MLL proficiency providers must complete the Application for MLL Proficiency Providers and submit it to mll@ride.ri.gov by June 30, 2026. A new application window coming soon!
Current MLL endorsement providers and new MLL proficiency providers should review the timeline below and the application requirements carefully before submitting materials. If you have any questions regarding your application, please contact the MLL team at mll@ride.ri.gov.
Current MLL Endorsement providers: Please review the Addendum to the Application for MLL Proficiency for Current MLL Endorsement Providers before completing the MLL proficiency provider application.
New MLL Proficiency providers: Please review the MLL proficiency application and the timeline below.
Timeline
The MLL proficiency application timeline aligns with the implementation of Rhode Island’s MLL Regulations and supports the transition from MLL endorsement programs to MLL proficiency providers.
2025-2026:
- September 2025: Application for MLL Proficiency Providers becomes available.
- December 2025: Deadline for current MLL Endorsement providers to apply to transition to MLL proficiency provider status.
- March 2026: RIDE begins accepting applications for new MLL proficiency providers.
- June 30, 2026: MLL proficiency provider application window closes.
- Summer 2026: RIDE begins publishing the list of approved MLL proficiency providers.
2026-2027:
- Fall 2026: RIDE updates the list of approved MLL proficiency providers, if applicable.
- June 30, 2027: Current MLL endorsement programs may continue through this date. Educators who complete a RIDE-approved MLL endorsement program by June 30, 2027, will meet the MLL proficiency expectations required under Rhode Island’s MLL regulations.
Current MLL endorsement providers must receive final approval as MLL proficiency providers by June 30, 2027, to be included on RIDE’s list of approved MLL proficiency providers after the transition period.