Title V / Basic Skills / Plato / Curriculum Technology / Intervention / MCLite / Tracking / ESL
College Level ESL was designed with the primary goal of promoting the retention of Non-Native speakers of English who have come to Midland College seeking a college education. While ESL instruction is offered at the college through the Adult Basic Education program , this instruction is focused more on preparing students for the GED exam and equipping them with basic communication skills , than it is on preparing them for success in the college classroom .
College Level ESL focuses on developing academic language competency, study skills , and proficiency in Standard American English, which are fundamental to achieving success in college . In addition, the program, with the cooperation of many individuals and departments on campus, provides a support and resource network for students. Examples include: The International Student Club Peer Tutors Advisors & Counselors Coaches and The Administration & Faculty
Students enrolled in College Level ESL classes represent all of the World's major geographic regions. It is truly a diverse and multi-national classroom . Approximately 50% of students are of Hispanic origin . Many are first generation in college, while others already possess college degrees from their native countries and are working to improve their English so they can begin work on advanced degrees in this country . A large number are athletes and some come to us from Adult Basic Education's ESL and GED programs.
Before the first class began , it was necessary for Title V to secure the use of a classroom with computer network capabilities - because the course design incorporates computer-based assessment and remediation in a lab setting . In the summer of 2002, Title V and Adult Basic Education agreed to share the use of room 136 in the Technology Center . This room, which was being used as a GED computer lab, is now also home to all College Level ESL classes, the College Level ESL lab, and the International Student Club . Title V installed new computers and Plato software, and added a state-of-the-art audio/visual system. Title V has also hired a part-time lab assistant to assist instructors and students in the lab, which serves both College Level ESL and Adult Basic Education students.
Title V and the Midland College Testing Center are also working together - to deliver the COMPASS/ESL assessment to all College Level ESL students to measure their proficiency in English . We use the assessment as a placement tool and as an indicator of the students' progress ….. With all these components in place, Title V piloted the first College Level ESL course in the Fall of 2002.
Year Four Objective
Objective 2-4-2:
At least 65% of the students participating in ESL Assessment will receive appropriate referral and support services to ensure successful course completion by September 30, 2004.
Supporting Data:
Completed. As of September 30, 2004, one hundred percent (100%) of students participating in the ESL Assessment received appropriate referral and support services and successfully (grade of C or better) completed their course requirements.
Comments:
The College Level ESL assessment consists of the Compass/ESL assessment, which is administered at Midland College Testing Center. Students are required to take the assessment at the beginning of each semester and are asked to post-test at the end of the semester. Test results are used to measure student progress. Beginning fall 2004, results will also be used as placement measures.
Objective 1-3-2:
(By September 30, 2003), students enrolled in pilot College Level ESL courses will successfully complete course work (grade C or above) at a rate 10% over the 1999-2000 baseline year.
Performance Indicators 1, 2, & 3:
1. By 9/30/03, the semester retention rate of Hispanic and low-income students participating in ESL pilot will be 30% greater than 1999-2000 baseline.
2. By 9/30/03, mid-term reports will reflect a 20% increase in the number of Hispanic and low-income students earning a C or better in ESL pilot when compared to 1999-2000 baseline.
3. By 9/30/03, semester grade reports will reflect a 30% increase in the number of Hispanic and low-income students who earn a C or better in ESL pilot compared to 1999-2000 baseline.
Supporting Data:
Completed. The semester retention rate of Hispanic and low-income students participating in the ESL pilot was 97%. One hundred percent (100%) of Hispanic and low-income students participating in and completing the ESL pilot earned a grade of C or better. The ESL pilot up to September 30, 2002 included three classes: DVLP 0395 (Fall 2002), DVLP 0393 (Spring 2003), and DVLP 0395 (Spring 2003). Total enrollment in the three courses was 31. Thirty (30) completed the course they were enrolled in. Additionally, all but four students persisted to the next semester. Of these four, two were international students and returned and remained in their country of origin.
Comments:
The College Level ESL program was the first of its kind at Midland College; therefore, comparison to 1999-2000 baseline levels is not applicable (there was not a similar program at Midland College in 1999-2000). Retention rates were derived from dividing the total number of students successfully completing the ESL pilot with the total enrollment figure for all three pilot courses.
The following report includes descriptive detail of the College Level ESL program. Additional information is provided in the monthly reports of the HSI - Title V Basic Skills Specialist from November 2001 - September 2003.
Objective 3-3-7:
There will be a 25% increase in the number of ESL faculty who have incorporated the use of CAI/MAI strategies by September 30, 2003, over the 1999-2000 level, as a result of faculty development activities.
Performance Indicator 1:
1. At least 25% more ESL faculty will have incorporated CAI/MAI methods compared with the 1999-2000 baseline, as confirmed by the Curriculum/Technology Specialist and Basic Skills Specialist by September 30, 2003.
Supporting Data:
Completed. One hundred percent (100%) of College Level ESL faculty incorporated CAI/MAI methods as a result of faculty development activities. College Level ESL faculty consisted of two individuals.
Comments:
The College Level ESL program was the first of its kind at Midland College; therefore, comparison to 1999-2000 baseline levels is not applicable (there was not a similar program at Midland College in 1999-2000). ESL faculty received training on basic computer operation; NOMAD and 3M audio/visual systems; and the PLATO Basic Skills Curriculum software.
The following report includes descriptive detail of the College Level ESL program. Additional information is provided in the monthly reports of the HSI - Title V Basic Skills Specialist from November 2001 - September 2003.
A Short History
During the spring of 2002, the HSI - Title V grant began development of a college level ESL course. The intent of the class was to prepare students who have limited English skills to succeed in regular college coursework. The first class was piloted during the fall 2002 semester. Thirteen students, representing nine countries and 23 dialects from around the world, enrolled in the course with one common bond - the desire to learn English. With this diverse group, however, came many challenges. Two students from different countries were at odds with each other because their countries have been fighting for more than 1,500 years. The Spanish speakers inadvertently insulted each other all the time because South American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican Spanish are completely different creatures. Many of the other students could not communicate with each other except through a common third language. The students from Mozambique and Brazil had very different native languages, yet could communicate using Portuguese. A Georgian woman, who had not had the opportunity to speak Georgian, one of the oldest languages in the world, since she fled her country, had learned to speak Russian. To communicate in class, she spoke Russian to a Lithuanian student who then translated into broken English. By the end of the first week of school, though, we had shared stories and food, and found that a hug or a handshake covered lots of missed family, and that we were all in the same room to learn a new language.
From that first week, the College Level ESL program has blossomed to include three distinct courses, an International Student club, and a College Level ESL language lab. Midland College is the only campus in the region to offer college credit ESL courses and the lab (TC136) is the only one of its kind in the entire Southwest.
The courses count in the developmental side of the educational sequence. Both the English and Reading departments have worked with the program to help accelerate the non-native student’s progress through the developmental process. Many of the students, a third of whom have advanced degrees from their native countries, are intellectually prepared for college in the United States but lack the English language proficiency to excel academically.
With help from counselors, coaches, administration, and Title V, College Level ESL has evolved into a unique and dynamic program. This program is a great place for college freshmen, as well as professionals who need to improve their language skills to succeed in the market place. The following courses are being offered each semester (flex entry option is available):
DVLP 0393 - Developmental English for Speakers of Other Languages: Oral Communication (3-3) 3 Hours
This course is designed to aid the development of listening and speaking skills in speakers of languages other than English, and to prepare them to succeed in college and function in an English speaking society. (3201085512)
(Level One): Course is designed for students with little or no proficiency in spoken or written English.
DVLP 0395 - Developmental English for Speakers of Other Languages: Writing and Grammar (3-3) 3 Hours
This course is designed to aid the development of writing skills, including standard English usage, organization of ideas, and application of grammar in speakers of languages other than English, and to prepare them to succeed in college and function in an English speaking society. (3201085712)
(Level Two): Course is designed for students with some proficiency in spoken English, but little or no mastery of written English. Students who have successfully completed DVLP 0393 are eligible for this course.
DVLP 0396 - Developmental Composition For Non-Native Speakers (3-3) 3 Hours
This course is designed to teach students principles and techniques of composition. Open only to non-native speakers. (3201085412)
(Level Three): Course is designed for students with some proficiency in spoken and written English. Students who have successfully completed DVLP 0395 are eligible for this course.
Implementation Strategy and Time Table
Project
Time Line Specific Task Methods Results Time Frame
Phase 1 Hire Curriculum Developer/
Instructor for DVLP 0395. Basic Skills Specialist - Create job description, advertise position, & organize search committee. Committee - evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendation. CurriculumDeveloper/
Instructor position filled. June 2002
Develop ESL Assessment
Title V Objective
2-4-2. Curriculum Developer/Instructor- Work with Basic Skills Specialist, Testing Center Coordinator, and Intervention Specialist on assessment design. Compass/
ESL Assessment ready for pilot. August 2002
Develop course syllabus
(DVLP 0395). Curriculum Developer/Instructor - Research pedagogy and technology for new curriculum in college level ESL. Course syllabus ready. August 2002
Design curriculum three levels of College Level ESL beginning with DVLP 0395.
Curriculum Developer/Instructor - Work with Basic Skills Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Curriculum Technology Specialist, and pertinent faculty on curriculum design and integrating CAI and other strategies for at-risk students into curriculum.
Work with Basic Skills Specialist on creating new materials to supplement basic skills courses to support at-risk students. Curriculum designed, CAI components established and ready for pilot. August 2002
Secure classroom and develop CAI/MAI materials for pilot. Basic Skills Specialist - Work with Director of Adult Basic Education on securing agreement to share ESL classroom/computer lab. Purchase student workstations to deliver CAI/MAI instruction (PLATO). College Level ESL classroom secured and lab operational. August 2002
Professional development for ESL faculty in incorporating CAI & other strategies to teach at-risk students. Instructor & Basic Skills Specialist - Disseminate developed curricula with other instructors teaching developed course. Serve as a resource to other instructors teaching developed course or related developmental course(s). Participate in developing training session(s) for participating ESL faculty. Training participants will demonstrate competency levels outlined in Activity Objectives. August 2002 thru January 2003
Pilot DVLP 0395. Instructor & Basic Skills Specialist - Advertise course to advisors, counselors, faculty, administration, and students. Ready course for Fall 2002 pilot. Pilot course in Fall ‘02 and Spring ‘03 semesters. Administer and evaluate ESL assessment. Students enrolled will successfully complete course work (grade C or above) at a rate 10% over the 1999-2000 baseline year.
August 2002 thru May 2003
Phase 2 Hire
Instructor for DVLP 0393. Basic Skills Specialist - Create job description, advertise position, & organize search committee. Committee - evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendation. Position filled. Nov. 2002
Create International Student Club (ISC). Instructor & Basic Skills Specialist - Based on high demand for activities and support services outside of class, create and sponsor ISC. Club chartered and recognized by college. Nov.
2002
Hire Lab Assistant for College Level ESL Lab Basic Skills Specialist - Create job description, advertise position, & organize search committee. Committee - evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendation. Position filled. Dec. 2003
Design curriculum for DVLP 0393 college level ESL course (Curriculum designed along with DVLP 0395 curriculum)
College Level ESL faculty - Work with Basic Skills Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Curriculum Technology Specialist, and pertinent faculty on curriculum design and integrating CAI and other strategies for at-risk students into curriculum.
Work with Basic Skills Specialist on creating new materials to supplement basic skills courses to support at-risk students. Curriculum designed, CAI components established and ready for pilot. Dec. 2002
Develop course syllabus
(DVLP 0393) ESL faculty - Research pedagogy and technology for new curriculum in college level ESL. Course syllabus ready. Dec. 2002
Professional development for new ESL faculty in incorporating CAI & other strategies to teach at-risk students. ESL faculty & Basic Skills Specialist - Disseminate developed curricula with other instructors teaching developed course. Serve as a resource to other instructors teaching developed course or related developmental course(s). Participate in developing training session(s) for participating ESL faculty. Training participants will demonstrate competency levels outlined in Activity Objectives. Dec. 2002 thru May 2003
Pilot DVLP 0393 ESL faculty & Basic Skills Specialist - Advertise course to advisors, counselors, faculty, administration, and students. Ready course for Spring 2003 pilot. Pilot course in Spring & Fall ‘03 semesters. Administer and evaluate ESL assessment. Students enrolled will successfully complete course work (grade C or above) at a rate 10% over the 1999-2000 baseline year. Jan. 2003 thru Dec. 2003
Phase 3 Propose DVLP 0396 to Midland College Curriculum Committee. ESL faculty, Basic Skills Specialist, & Title V Activity Director - Propose DVLP 0396 to Midland College Curriculum Committee for approval so it can be added to course offerings. Proposal approved. DVLP 0396 added to course catalog. Nov. 2003
Hire
Instructor for DVLP 0396 Basic Skills Specialist - Create job description, advertise position, & organize search committee. Committee - evaluate applications, conduct interviews, and make hiring recommendation. Position filled. July 2003
Design curriculum for DVLP 0394 college level ESL course (Curriculum designed along with DVLP 0395 curriculum).
ESL faculty - Work with Basic Skills Specialist, Intervention Specialist, Curriculum Technology Specialist, and pertinent faculty on curriculum design and integrating CAI and other strategies for at-risk students into curriculum.
Work with Basic Skills Specialist on creating new materials to supplement basic skills courses to support at-risk students. Curriculum designed, CAI components established and ready for pilot. July 2003
Develop course syllabus
(DVLP 0396) ESL faculty - Research pedagogy and technology for new curriculum in college level ESL. Course syllabus ready. July 2003
Professional development for ESL faculty in incorporating CAI & other strategies to teach at-risk students. ESL faculty & Basic Skills Specialist - Disseminate developed curricula with other instructors teaching developed course. Serve as a resource to other instructors teaching developed course or related developmental course(s). Participate in developing training session(s) for participating ESL faculty. Training participants will demonstrate competency levels outlined in Activity Objectives. July 2003
Pilot DVLP 0396 ESL faculty & Basic Skills Specialist - Advertise course to advisors, counselors, faculty, administration, and students. Ready course for Fall 2003 pilot. Pilot course in Fall ‘03, & Spring ‘04 semesters. Students enrolled will successfully complete course work (grade C or above) at a rate 10% over the 1999-2000 baseline year.
August 2003 thru May 2004