Supporting ELLs with PBS TeacherLine in Colorado

Destination States

States having had over 200% growth in their ELL population since 1994 (as determined by the type of industry these states provide). There are12 identified

states meeting this criteria, including Colorado.

Included are: Nevada, Nebraska, Arkansas,Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama,

Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, andPuerto Rico.

ELL Growth rate in Colorado

Colorado total K-12 enrollment growth rate over the last twelve years = 13.37%

Colorado ELL total enrollment growth rate over the last twelve years = 352.68%, with some school districts experiencing up to 700% growth.

Colorado has 178 school districts, 156 of which serve a total of 124,000 English Language Learner (ELL) students across the state.

“There is a marked shortage of teachers certified to teach ELLs. Fewer than one in five teachers who currently serve these students are certified to teach them.”

-The English Language Learner Guidebook, produced by the Colorado Department of Education, revised April 2008

RMPBS Grant Partners Colorado Dept. of Ed – Language,

Culture and Equity Unit

Centennial BOCES – Northern Colorado region

Northwest BOCES – ski area region with high ELL populations

ELL Course TitlesAll courses are 15 hours/1 grad credit and

take 3 weeks to complete online.

Oral Language Development (PreK-3)

Vocabulary Development (PreK-3)

Reading Fluency (Grades 2-5)

Writing in Grades PreK-3

Assessing Language Development (PreK-3)

Options for Districts/Teachers:

Teachers enroll in individual courses

Teachers complete all five courses from October 2008 – July 2009 to earn a certificate from Adams State in “Enhancing ELL Instruction”

10 or more teachers form a cohort, RMPBS provides private course offerings

Marketing Strategies CDE contacts, meetings, list servs

Conference presentations/exhibits: CABE, COTESOL, Migrant Ed.

Presentations to BOCES groups

Contacting ELL Coordinators in target districts

Expanding relationships with current district partners

Benefits to RMPBS

New District Partnerships

Increased local course offerings

CDE Partnership

First Certificate offering with Adams State, other topic areas will follow

The Competition University endorsement/MA programs

McREL, EDC, etc.

BUT…TeacherLine is appealing to a general classroom teachers and is the only online option (that we have found).