Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Department of Education

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 - MLL Proficiency and Awareness Requirements (updated September 2026) 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 (Updated September 2026). 

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 Sept. 2026: RIDE is offering two options for MLL Awareness course completion. Both course options bring to life the RI MLL Awareness Competencies which operationalize the RI MLL Blueprint for MLL Learner Success. The MLL Regulations require specific groups of educators to meet MLL Awareness, which may be met with completion of one course. However, RI educators are welcome to enroll in both courses. See below for course descriptions and how to register for a RIDE Student Canvas account.

MLL Awareness Course

The first RI MLL Awareness course launched in January 2026 and offers five modules for learning more about working with MLLs. This course was developed in partnership with TESOL and is available to all RI educators at no cost. While any RI educator can enroll in this course, it was designed with the following roles in mind:

  • School Counselor
  • Speech Language Pathologist
  • School Social Worker
  • PE/Art/Music/Library Teacher
  • Other Staff Members
  • School and District Leaders

MLL Awareness for Instructional Leaders Course

The MLL Awareness for Instructional Leaders course launched in September 2026 and was designed especially with school and district instructional leaders in mind. The course offers five modules for learning how to center MLL learning and belonging across schools and districts. This course was developed in partnership with ELSF and is available to all RI educators at no cost. While any RI educator can enroll in this course, it was designed with the following roles in mind:

  • Principal/Asst Principal
  • District Leader
  • Instruction-facing Administrator
  • Instructional Coach
  • Teacher Leader
Educators can take either course to satisfy the MLL Awareness requirement and are welcome to enroll in both courses.

How to register for a RIDE Student Canvas account:  

  1. To CREATE A RIDE STUDENT CANVAS ACCOUNT, click here to view step-by-step directions. Users must create a STUDENT account in order to enroll in MLL Awareness courses. 
  2. Once you have an active RIDE Student Canvas account, the following links can be used to self-enroll in the MLL Awareness courses: 
    1. MLL Awareness course: https://ride.instructure.com/enroll/M7W3H4 
    2. MLL Awareness for Instructional Leaders course: https://ride.instructure.com/enroll/XBBEJM 

For questions, please email MLL@ride.ri.gov.

For Educators:

Educators can demonstrate proficiency as detailed in Brief 2 – Proficiency and Awareness Requirements (Updated September 2026). 

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.

Approved Providers for MLL Proficiency Expectations (K-12): 

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. 
  • Fall 2026: RIDE opens a new application window. Please check back for specific dates. 
  • Spring 2027: RIDE updates the list of approved MLL proficiency providers, if applicable. 
  • June 30, 2027: Current MLL endorsement programs will sunset at this time. 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. 

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.