Leaders’ Perspectives on the Preparation of Bilingual/Dual Language Teachers

This research and policy brief uplifts findings from a 2020 survey of 223 California school district leaders. Findings regarding the preparation of beginning bilingual/dual language educators indicate that leaders rated teachers’ linguistic competencies in two languages as the most important ability, followed by teachers’ understanding of bilingualism and biliteracy development and linguistic pedagogical knowledge. Respondents rated beginning bilingual teachers’ preparation to meet the needs of their districts/schools as “moderately well” (M=3.1 out of 5). The brief concludes by identifying policy recommendations for state and local levels as well as for institutions of higher education policies and practice in this statewide “new ecology of biliteracy”: (1) data collection and reporting on bilingual teacher demographics and authorization; (2) increased quality of fieldwork and clinical experiences for future bilingual teachers; (3) increased funding for bilingual teacher preparation programs to diversity pipelines into bilingual education preparation programs, recruitment, support, and program completion; and (4) differentiated professional development experiences for beginning bilingual teachers including mentoring, learning communities, and cross-departmental teams.

Promoting Retention of Alternative Certified Teachers Through Professional Development

Due to the nature of alternative preparation paths to classroom teaching and the unique challenges these teachers face, alternative certified teacher quality and retention are questionable. The purpose of this study was to investigate school leaders’ knowledge of the challenges of these teachers, the support provided in light of that knowledge, and the potential impact of the support on teacher retention. Alternative certified teachers need increased, differentiated professional development opportunities that support classroom performance, resulting in retention and student achievement.

Designing District-Wide Technology-Rich Professional Development

This case will focus on the following situation: As the technology coordinator for a school district you receive a state grant to provide technology resources and professional development for every teacher in the intermediate (Grades 5-6), middle (Grades 7-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) classrooms in your district. Your superintendent and school board have asked you to: (a) Design differentiated professional development to meet all teachers' needs; (b) Include some outside consultants but quickly build teacher capacity so future professional development can be facilitated by district employees; (c) Provide educational materials for teachers and parents about internet safety and legal issues; and (d) Determine that the use of technology has positively impacted student learning outcomes. This case study describes the story of how one school district responded to this challenge.

Designing District-Wide Technology-Rich Professional Development

This case will focus on the following situation: As the technology coordinator for a school district you receive a state grant to provide technology resources and professional development for every teacher in the intermediate (Grades 5-6), middle (Grades 7-8) and high school (Grades 9-12) classrooms in your district. Your superintendent and school board have asked you to: design differentiated professional development to meet all teachers’ needs; include some outside consultants but quickly build teacher capacity so future professional development can be facilitated by district employees; provide educational materials for teachers and parents about internet safety and legal issues; determine that the use of technology has positively impacted student learning outcomes. This case study describes the story of how one school district responded to this challenge.

Promoting New Media Literacy in a School District

This book chapter reports an Enhancing Education Through Technology Competitive Grant (EETT-C) project that was designed to improve student achievement and to promote new media literacy. During 2005-2006, the project served 30 sixth to eighth grade mathematics teachers and approximately 3,250 students in Palm Springs Unified School District, a medium-sized, high-poverty school district in Southern California. The research-based program consisted of a student program and faculty development. Strategies used for the student program included data-based decision making, cues, timely feedback, visual and contextualized learning, synthesis of learning for deeper understanding, and parental involvement. Strategies used for the faculty development involved coaching and mentoring to develop teacher expertise, assessment of instructional activities related to student achievement, access to differentiated professional development opportunities, and access to high quality curricular resources. The authors hope that the chapter will inform educators of a better design for professional development and program evaluation.