All Focused Approach: Instruction for English Learners professional development employs a capacity-building model and ranges from one-day awareness sessions to multiple day institutes with ongoing coaching support.

"Professional development lasting 14 or fewer hours showed no effects on learning.  The largest effects were for programs offering 30-100 hours spread out over 6-12 months."

- Education Week (February 4, 2009)

Institutes utilize comprehensive teacher handbooks and incorporate presentation, collaborative learning and readings with regular opportunities to apply newly learned skills. To ensure teachers are equipped to address the needs of English Learners, they need in-depth, on-going professional development. A comprehensive approach leads to effective implementation and includes the following:

Planning -  Leadership Overview and Implementation Planning

Year One -  3-Day Teacher Institute*: Districts host a capacity-building institute for 35-60 teacher leaders, as a prerequisite to the Presenter Seminar.  Each institute includes one day of on-site follow-up support to assist district leadership team to assess level of implementation and re-visit the District Implementation Plan to monitor and adjust, as needed.

_{* One-year access to the Participant Website is included with Institute attendance; $25 annual renewal fee. District License rates available for annual renewal.}

Administrator Orientation and Planning: Successful implementation relies on the participation and support of district and site leadership. E.L. Achieve may facilitate a one-day workshop with a morning overview and afternoon planning session during which administrative leadership will plan how they will support teachers during implementation. E.L. Achieve will provide technical assistance for ongoing plan development.

On-site Implementation and Support: As outlined in district plan, E.L. Achieve leadership will provide ongoing implementation support. Support may include designing content-specific lessons and facilitating collaborative dialogue. These days may also include facilitating collaboration meetings and coaching.

Distance Implementation Support: All participating teachers will have access to the online resources available through the E.L. Achieve website. Resources include: professional reading materials, sample lessons, electronic coaching, and a community forum.

Summer -  Presenter Seminar: District teacher leaders who participated in an institute may apply and if accepted, attend the Presenter Seminar. The five-day presenter seminar further develops participants professional knowledge base, and presentation and group facilitation skills. Once certified, presenters may offer 20-hour teacher institutes within their district. Districts will only need to purchase A Focused Approach Handbooks for institute participants.

Year Two & Ongoing -  3-day Teacher Institute: District certified presenters provide institutes for district teachers. E.L. Achieve is available to support district presenters with distance coaching (no cost) and co-presenting (coaching rate), as needed. Cost: Handbook per participant.

Ongoing Certification: District certified presenters are invited to attend implementation support sessions to hone presenting skills, network with other presenters, as well as receive updates and additional resources. Certified presenters are also provided access to the Presenter website with presentation materials and implementation resources.

If you are interested in contracting E.L. Achieve to provide an Institute for your district, please find information about upcoming Leadership Overview and Planning Sessions on the Events page.

Click here for District Capacity Building Model overview and District Institute Preparation Checklist, Materials and Set-up information.