RWU helping teachers to meet growing ESL needs

PROVIDENCE — Urban districts have struggled to hire teachers qualified to teach English as a Second Language.

Now the Providence Public Schools are partnering with Roger Williams University to help teachers earn that certification while they're working, which should greatly reduce the cost and time that teachers spend earning their ESL credentials. 

The program starts in the summer with one week of intensive online instruction and two weeks of classroom time. During the school year, teachers will continue their studies online with regular monitoring by faculty from Roger Williams University.

"Teachers will be deemed competent based on the material they produce," said Jamie Scurry, the university's dean of continuing studies. "Every assessment will be grounded by what they produce. They will be assessed by faculty who are experts in ESL."

The program costs $3,500 — much less than traditional programs — and is expected to launch this summer with as many as 100 teachers.

"Six years ago, fewer than one in five Providence students qualified as ESL," said Supt. Christopher N. Maher. "That ratio has changed to one in four students and we expect it to increase to one in three in the near future. We need more educators with the knowledge and tools necessary to meet the language and academic needs of English-language learners."

Last year, the Providence school district approached Roger Williams University about collaborating on an ESL certification program. The university, through its School of Continuing Studies, agreed to come up with a program that meets the needs of working teachers.

Scurry said one of the School of Continuing Education's goals involves joining partners in creating high-quality, affordable and flexible programs that build off the university's expertise in adult education.

State education Commissioner Ken Wagner hailed the partnership, saying Rhode Island must be prepared to meet the needs of a fast-growing population of English-language learners.

"Rhode Island classrooms reflect the rich diversity of our state ..." he said. "We must be equipped to serve and support these students, and I'm glad to see this partnership between Roger Williams and the Providence public schools result in an innovative approach to meeting a growing need in our schools."

— lborg@providencejournal.com

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On Twitter: @lborgprojocom