A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

APPLICATION NO      :    R215E40044 APPLICANT           :    Colorado Department of Education                          201 East Colfax                          Denver, Colorado  80203 CONTACT PERSON 	    :    Susan P. Shafer TELEPHONE	    :    (303) 866-6748 AWARD TO DATE       :    $299,939 PROJECT PERIOD      :    10/01/94-09/30/97 

The project addresses ten needs identified through a literature search conducted by the project's planning team. Key needs include: improved language skills for students, both in English and foreign languages, which are necessary for today's students to function successfully in society and the work force; enhanced information for teachers and school and district leaders about new content standards; more effective use of technology; new teaching materials; and technical assistance for school and district leaders in designing effective inservice education programs. State and national needs include the need for enhancing student achievement in English and foreign languages to enable Colorado and the nation to compete successfully in the emerging global economy. Content standards for student and licensing/relicensing standards for teachers are needed as key strategies to improve achievement.

The project's design provides for a working partnership among the Governor's Office, the Colorado Department of Education, five universities which train English and foreign language teachers, and five "catalyst" school districts. Objective 1, the development of new standards, is the primary responsibility of the Governor's Office, working the Department of Education. Objective 2, developing a model for pre-service education and licensure, is managed by the five universities. Objective 3, developing a model for professional development programs and relicensing, is the responsibility of the catalyst school districts, with leadership and resources provided by the universities, working closely with the Department of Education. Objective 4, dissemination, will be coordinated by the CDE.

The project will achieve the following results: state content standards for English and foreign languages will be developed, models for pre-service education/licensing and pro-professional development programs/relicensing will be designed and demonstrated, and the state's dissemination networks to support standards-based education will be strengthened, thereby improving students' competence in English and foreign languages. Specific outcomes will be documented by a vigorous evaluation program. In the early months of its work, the project has completed the draft of a set of English standards and begun work on the foreign language standards, begun training of university-teacher partners, and modified methods courses at two universities.

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