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| The English Language Development (ELD) Institute will offer a new online professional development certificate program for teachers of English language learners. |
The College of Education & Integrative Studies and College of the Extended University have teamed up with Ballard & Tighe, Publishers to create the English Language Development (ELD) Institute, offering a new online professional development certificate program for teachers of English language learners.
“School districts nationwide continue to face the realities of meeting the many requirements of No Child Left Behind, such as demonstrating academic achievement for all students, including English language learners, and ensuring that highly qualified teachers are in the classroom,” says Roberta Stathis, president of Ballard & Tighe. “Meeting these requirements while maintaining a quality standard of education and balancing sparse budget funds can be difficult.”
The online program was developed in response to findings in a joint study on “The Conditions of K-12 Education in the Greater San Gabriel Valley” published in November by CEIS and Edison International.
“One of the greatest needs in the region is to prepare teachers to address the academic needs of English language learners,” says CEIS Dean Joan Bissell. “Our report identified this as the most significant educational issue faced by K-12 school districts.”
In place of the traditional, more costly off-site training, the ELD Institute offers courses that are available 24/7 with Internet access. Through the certificate program, teachers can use their time far more effectively by working at any time and any location they choose to gain their university units. Opting for professional development courses in a highly accessible online format offers school districts the financial advantages of no off-site training nor need for travel and substitute teacher expenses.
“Professional development courses are essential to provide teachers with up-to-date knowledge and current practices. Online courses are beneficial to school districts looking to keep within budget constraints,” says Stathis. “We encourage districts and teachers to take advantage of the cost benefits, flexible scheduling and specialized courses offered by the ELD Institute.”
The ELD Institute offers a Basic English Language Development Certificate or an Advanced English Language Development Certificate. A total of seven classes are available, each with a university credit of 1.0 quarter unit per class.
The online program will begin Winter Quarter 2005. The first course in the three-course series required for the Basic English Language Development Certificate, The Fundamentals of Teaching English Language Development, will run Jan. 10 through Feb. 4. Cost for enrollment is $270 per unit per teacher. During the winter quarter, there will be fee-reduction scholarships to enable districts with large numbers of English language learners to enroll their teachers.
For more information or to enroll online, visit www.eld.cpp.edu or contact Michael J. Filson from the College of the Extended University at (909) 869-2393 or by e-mail at mjfilson@cpp.edu.
About Ballard & Tighe — Headquartered in Brea, Ballard & Tighe publishers are dedicated to making a difference in education. The company publishes a highly regarded set of products that extend from assessing, identifying and instructing students with limited English proficiency to transitioning these students into mainstream classrooms. The company was founded in 1976 and has provided high quality testing, instructional and professional training products and services to more than 2,200 state, regional and local school systems in more than 30 states and internationally.