CONTACTS:
Ron Knight, Staff Development Coordinator
Phone: 503-261-8236
E-Mail:
Ron_knight@ddouglas.k12.or.us
Susan Summers, Instructional
Alternatives/ESL Coordinator
Phone: 503 261-8224
Web site:
http://www.ddouglas.k12.or.us/
BACKGROUND:
Under the federal No Child Left Behind act of 2001, instructional assistants must complete two years of college, obtain an associate’s degree OR pass district-created proficiency standards in knowledge of reading, writing and math instruction. The Oregon Dept. Of Education does not offer a course or curriculum to help districts implement this part of the law, so the David Douglas School District adapted a successful training program it had created two years ago for its instructional assistants to cover new requirements.
“We’re making the best of this mandate by not just rubber-stamping it, but creating relevant training our staff can use immediately in the classroom,” says Susan Summers, instructional alternatives/ESL coordinator.
The eight-week course to begin in April 2003 was created by Ron Knight, staff development coordinator with help from staff members Kate Barker and Brooke O’Neill. They worked with Cheryl Williamson, student services/curriculum supervisor from the Centennial School District in developing curriculum that will also be used in training Centennial instructional assistants this spring.
Most of the two-hour weekly classes will be taught by district staff in both districts. They target math, reading, writing, classroom management, responsibilities and ethics, and helping special education students with students with language barriers. Upon successful completion, staff not only will be qualified under NCLB, but can receive a pay increase, which is part of the employee contract.
COURSE DETAILS:
Two-hour sessions, 4 to 6 p.m. weekly for eight weeks. No cost to staff.
- Session One: Roles and Responsibilities
- Session Two: Roles, Responsibilities and Ethics
- Session Three: Classroom Management
- Session Four: Effective Classroom Strategies (GLAD, Guided Language Acquisition Design)
- Session Five: Reading
- Session Six: Reading
- Session Seven: Writing
- Session Eight: Math
WHO RECEIVES TRAINING:
Schoolwide Title 1, ESD and special education instructional assistants without two years (90 units) of college credit or an associate’s degree are required to pass this course. All other K-12 instructional assistants and temporary assistants are encouraged to take the course.
BENEFITS OF TRAINING:
Temporary instructional assistants who successfully complete this training may apply for permanent job openings; all IAs who pass the course qualify for the next step on their pay scale, according to the collective bargaining contract.
HOW ASSESSMENT IS DONE:
Multiple choice tests, assessments offered on-line, passing score must be 80 percent, retakes may be taken three days later if a passing score is not achieved on first try, and makeup sessions allowed (all sessions will be videotaped for later viewing and students must view tapes at district office and take assessment within the week).
HOW THE TESTS WERE CREATED:
Assistants, teachers and administrators were surveyed to research the areas of greatest importance to teach and assess. A team of teachers at the primary, middle and high school level created the curriculum and assessment for reading, writing and math.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance, class participation, passing score on tests, outside reading and/or school-based assignments.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: What do the instructional assistants need to do to fulfill the new law?
A: Either complete two years of college, obtain an associate’s degree OR pass district-created assessment in reading, writing and math.
Q: Do we need to have transcripts turned into the district office?
A: Yes.
Q: How many hours equate to two years of college?
A: 90 credits.
Q: When do the assistants need to fulfill the requirements?
A: By 2006
Q: Since we are a reading only Title 1 district, do we have to assess writing and math?
A: Yes.
Q: Can assistants retake the test if they fail?
A: Yes.
Q: Which assistants need to meet the new requirements?
A: Schoolwide: All permanent assistants including Title 1, ESD and ERIC.
Q: Can a school go from schoolwide back to targeted assisted?
A: Yes, but it’s not recommended.
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