Teachers would be able to bypass important training under the current proposal, according to Michael Clara's complaint.

"It would give [students] a substandard teacher," he said.

But Larry Shumway, Utah State Office of Education associate superintendent, said "none of us want substandard training." The state has been working on a master plan for teaching non-English-speak- ing students. Part of that plan is how teachers will get trained.

The complaint was filed with the Office for Civil Rights in the U.S. Department of Education.

Clara says the plan to combine a reading and English as a Second Language endorsement - which is proof of a certain level of skill and training - would hurt minority students. Teachers would get trained in reading, but only limited ESL training, and then receive a reading/English Language Learners endorsement, he said.

"Now we're saying this particular segment of students don't deserve a highly qualified teacher," Clara said.

The state will continue to work with Clara and any others with concerns, Shumway said.

"We want to be sure that all kids get the services they need to succeed in school," he said.

Clara, who serves on the state's ESL endorsement committee, filed a successful civil rights complaint several years ago against the Salt Lake City School District that led to systemic changes for minority students.

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* JULIA LYON can be contacted at jlyon@sltrib.com or 801-257-8748.