The English Learner Training & Professional Development Project is an intensive program that strengthens the capacity of out-of-school time providers to deliver high quality programming that meets the needs of English Learner children and youth. This project is made possible by generous funding from the S.H. Cowell Foundation in partnership with Development Without Limits West and Public Profit.

Click here to apply. Deadline to apply extended through November 2013. Limited space available! 

2012-13 EL Project Impact Highlights:

• 11 CalSAC EL Trainers provided over 200 hours of training and professional development
• 17 agencies enrolled 40 program sites
• Over 100 staff participated and applied the strategies and tools at their sites
• 13, 208 children and youth served by participating agencies - 49% are English Learners

2012-13 EL Project Participant Comments:

• "[One of the most important things I gained was…] understanding the factors beyond English fluency that affect the participation and achievement of English Learners in schools."
• "Our trainer supplied very helpful tools and strategies for helping our EL students become successful in class."
• "[One of the most important things I gained was…] comprehensively assessing the strengths, challenges and needs around creating an inclusive program for English Learners as well as identify priority areas to create an action plan."
• "[I learned…] as after-school we have the unique opportunity to aide in language development that differs from school day."

Click here to learn more about the success of the project and impact it can have on your staff and program.

2013-14 Program Details: 

Afterschool/OST sites will receive:

• Three 4-hour training workshops, starting January 2014 and ending May 2014
• Three tool booklets with activities to implement at your site
• One observation and feedback session per enrolled site to ensure proper implementation of the EL tools and activities
• Ongoing technical assistance
• A consistent CalSAC Trainer to provide training, observation, and technical assistance

Training will cover the following:

• Knowing English Learners – to understand the factors beyond English fluency that affect the participation and achievement of English Learners in schools, and to unearth misconceptions and possible bias through self reflection.
• Promoting English Language Development – to provide best practices and stages, and research-based strategies such as SDAIE (Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English) to support English language development and academic support.
• Linkage to the School Day – to understand different types of English Learner Programs that currently exist in the K-12 system and English Learner assessment data.
• Home Language and Cultural Identity Support – to explore research illustrating the benefits of home language and cultural identity support as well as strategies to apply.
• Family and Community Engagement – to identify resources that exist in communities, tips on creating a welcoming environment for families, and strategies for engaging community and family members.
• English Learner Program Assessment and Plan – to comprehensively assess the strengths, challenges and needs around creating an inclusive program for English Learners as well as identify priority areas to create an action plan.

Click here to apply. Applications accepted on a rolling basis through November 2013 (Deadline Extended). Limited space available! 

Please contact Amelia Alexander, 510-444-4622 x104, aalexander@calsac.org with any questions.