Grant Program Goals

• Offer high-quality professional development to teachers through an intensive program of teacher inquiry groups and professional development
• Conduct research studying the effects of a program of professional development to improve writing achievement for ELs, with assessment via WIDA scores and student writing samples; independent EMU evaluator will assess program implementation and teacher/principal/district/ISD satisfaction
• Offer a Supportive Schools for ELs workshop to administrators, counselors, and school psychologists twice a year
• Enhance the preservice preparation and teacher induction of TESOL students at Eastern Michigan University through participation with the inservice professional development and after-school tutoring with opportunities to implement teaching strategies from methods courses
• Increase the number of TESOL-credentialed teachers in Michigan by providing tuition toward TESOL certification and career-ladder opportunities for teachers and paraprofessionals
• Provide rich and varied opportunities that engage the community of adult immigrants and refugees, many of whom are the parents of K-12 ELs, with other parents, teachers and preservice teachers interested in multilingualism and ESL education