In the last decade, and in response to the critiques of our nation's public schools' inability to prepare citizens for the increasing globalization of our world, many schools have moved into enrichment dual language programs that both respond more effectively to the needs of ELLs and are simultaneously more inclusive of the majority English population. In addition, schools' acknowledgement that the complexity of teaching faced by the challenge of an increasingly diverse student population augments the need for teachers to collaborate in schools. Thus, the dialogue between different teacher populations has also become a necessity.
The QTPELL project feeds into, and is fed by, the increasing collaboration between university/school partnerships that address both the need to improve the quality of teaching personnel and the knowledge created by the partnerships. This knowledge base will serve to better inform teachers in dual language programs, in Spanish and non-Spanish LOTE, and for regular teachers working with ELLs, as it addresses the needs of the novice teacher.
The QTPELL Project has three main goals:
GOAL ONE : Implement the New NYS Re-registered Academic Programs and Ensure that They Meet NCATE Standards
The QTPELL Project addresses the issues of improving the teacher preparation program; we also have plans for recruitment activities and support for language development for LOTE students.
GOAL TWO : Prepare Quality Novice Teachers to Work With ELLs
From 2004 to 2009, the QTPELL Project is committed to develop, improve, and maintain multiple partnerships with local community elementary and middle schools educating ELLs in dual language or bilingual classrooms in NYC public schools. The multiple partnerships, in a collaborative fashion, allow to serve our students' multiple needs.
PS 165 Spanish/English dual language and PS 184 Chinese/English bilingual public schools are the partner-schools of the QTPELL Project.
GOAL THREE : Dissemination of Information and Practices that Improve Quality Teaching For ELLs
In the next five years, the QTPELL Project activities include the organization of a series of workshops, local conferences, speaker series, and symposia (e.g., http://www.tc.edu/ceoi/languagesymposium.html) ensuring that ELL teachers foster ongoing and systematic learning by sharing their knowledge with a variety of audiences.
The NABE, NAAPAE, NYSABE, AERA, The Holmes Partnership Annual Conferences (for detailed information, please, click on Links) are the forums at which teachers and students participating in the QTPELL Project can disseminate their knowledge and experiences on national and state levels.