GSEAP Assists Cesar Batalla School with English Language Learners
When the State of Connecticut earmarked $6.6 million to help the lowest performing schools in the state, Principal Hector Sanchez at Bridgeports Cesar Batalla School saw an opportunity to expand teacher training to target the schools English language learners, a population that makes up 30 percent of the 1100 students in the large, urban pre-k 8 school, as well as learners with special needs.
Drs. David Zera and Anne Campbell of 潑請弝け Universitys Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP) helped conceptualize and write the S.T.E.L.L.A.R. Partnership Project (Specialized Training for English Language Learners and Reading). The $200,000 grant will allow for 10 teachers to take the course Reading and Language Development for English Language Learners and Students with Special Needs and for Drs. Zera and Campbell to provide school-wide professional development during the 2014-2015 academic year. The grant also provides a stipend for teachers in the class to serve as grade-level literacy leaders for one year, allows for the purchase of materials, and funds the hiring of a literacy liaison.
Poverty, lack of life experiences, and a less developed linguistic preparation in English may put students at a disadvantage, especially at the higher grade levels, said Dr. Campbell. They must learn English and keep up with academic content at the same time.
Most of the students who need help are native Spanish speakers (71 percent), but students from Asian language groups (3 percent) also form part of the population at Cesar Batalla. Additionally, 99 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunch.
Language use varies between cultures, as well as between groups in the same society, Dr. Zera said. Very often, the student has never been exposed to or taught the ways language is used in school settings, and that puts him or her at a disadvantage compared to native English speakers.
This a golden opportunity for the teachers at our school to receive professional development that is both relevant and specific to the needs of our students and our teachers and delivered by two experts, Drs. David Zera and Anne Campbell, Sanchez said. We also believe that these literacy strategies will not only help our English language learners and students with special needs but will benefit all of our students.
