History

Chapman University and the Orange County of Education (OCDE) have entered into a consortium, Project CONNECT, designed to meet the need of providing quality professional development opportunities to present and future teachers of English Learners in Orange County. The Project is providing participants with enhanced coursework leading to the new California State licensing system as well as implementing alternative settings for professional development. Project CONNECT is meeting the needs of current and future teachers by providing quality professional standards; a system of ongoing support; and alternative settings for the taking of course work leading to State certification.

Goals of the Project

1. To increase teacher proficiency in effective and exemplary instructional strategies (based on scientific evidence of effectiveness) that promotes English language development and literacy development for teachers completing their professional credential and those who have completed the process.
2. To provide a system of ongoing support and coaching, field practice activities, study teams and peer visits to candidates for State licensing of teachers of English Learners as well as those teachers who have already completed the process.
3. To develop and implement alternative teacher certification programs and settings, including virtual classroom, for the taking of course work to assist teachers as they work towards State certification and continuing to meet the needs of their students.
   
                                            
4. To create a governance and management process that facilitates decision-making and communication among collaborative members and build capacity of Chapman University and Orange County Department of Education to continue to provide Project CONNECT professional development.

• Sponsoring planning sessions with Chapman University and OCDE to build the capacity of faculty and restructure course work and prepare for the new state credentialing and induction as it relates to English learners.
• Working with Chapman University Extension and On-line Divisions to provide CTEL and AB2913 alternative certification courses for veteran teachers who work with English learners.
• Preparing new Induction course pathways for beginning teachers now require to engage in a two year induction by working with current School of Education administration and faculty, University Extension, and On-Line divisions at Chapman University.
• Developing a Curriculum Lab in Chapman’s School of Education to house and distribute materials and resources for teacher candidates to borrow and use in praxis activities in the schools where they work with small groups of English Learners. Materials include curriculum thematic kits, books, manipulatives, realia, and teacher resource books. The Lab will also support teacher candidates who work with students attending the Reading Lab for tutorials.
• Developing a video series that shows exemplary instruction in language arts for English Learners
• Co-sponsoring conferences that focus on best practices for working with English Learners and support teacher's professional development in this area.
• Sponsoring a countywide project network that meets regularly. This group promotes professional dialogue focusing on differentiated instruction for the English Learner as well as ongoing support to their teachers by sharing resources. One example is through the identification of model classrooms while use is Best Practices for English Learners. The Network focused on becoming a Professional Learning Community.
• Developing updated curriculum, methodology and website focusing on Best Practices, including Differentiated Instruction.
• Purchasing of curriculum materials for the Network’s Professional Library.
• Developing a robust project website with links and video examples of Best Practices for English Learners as well as the use of electronic boards for ongoing teacher support and peer coaching.