Center for Language and Culture

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Center for Language and Culture

• Bilingual Paraeducator
• Career Ladder Teacher Education Program
• BIPACAL
• CFDA 84.L195E (2000 2005)
• Jorge P. Osterling, Ph.D.

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Vision Statement

• GMUs Center for Language and Culture (CLC)
  provides leadership in promoting educational
  equity for culturally linguistically diverse
  populations from disenfranchised communities.
• BIPACAL is a career ladder teacher education
  program that assists bilingual paraeducators in
  become highly qualified ESOL teachers, in
  accordance to NCLB.

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Participants

• Two IHEs
• GMU
• NVCC
• Three LEAs
• APS
• FCPS
• PWCPS

Participants Enrollment Participants Enrollment
NVCC no, AA degree -- less 60 credits 12
GMU no, BA 60 120 credits 15
GMU BA or higher, no license 22
TOTAL 49
Left Program (all continue working) 16 (32.7)
http//http//gse.gmu.edu/programs/bpclttp/index.
htm(703) 993-8136
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Participants Profile

• Received a AA, BA, MA or equivalent degree from
  an institution of higher education overseas.
• Majority
• Non-native English speakers BICS level,
• Speak two or more world languages.

• Non Traditional Students
• Average age 41,
• Have family responsibilities, several single
  parents with young dependents
• Have been away from school for an extended period
  of time,
• Work full-time at a LEA.

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Academic Success September 04 Indicators
Participants
Enrolled in BIPACAL(2000 2005) 49
Left BIPACAL(All undergraduates) 16 (32.7 )
Earned Bachelors Degree 31
Passed PRAXIS-IVA Composite Score 532 25
Received Provisional ESOL Teaching License 6
Earned ESOL Teaching License 4
Projected Teaching Licenses by End of Program 20
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Academic Success September 04 Indicators
Participants Average Score
GPA Over 3.5 (Deans List) 26 3.86
Below 3.5 18 2.97
TOEFL 19 558
PRAXIS-I Passed (532 or higher) 25 536
Took Exam 37 528
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Academic and Student Support Services offered to
BIPACALs Non Traditional Students

• Academic Advisement
• Writing Center (e.g., EDUC 301)
• Math Review courses (e.g., PRAXIS)
• Tutoring Services
• Evening and summer classes
• Personal Counseling Services
• First year teacher induction

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Need for Paraeducator Career Ladder Teacher
Education Programs
Challenges/Obstacles BIPACAL Supports
FinancialDifficulty in paying tuitionand supporting self and family. Tuition paid. Stipends to supplement school division's leave of absence. School division's willingness to retain paid paraeducators while enrolled in BIPACAL project.
SocialIsolation on an IHE-culture predominantly designed for native- English, Anglo students, mostly in their twenties or early thirties. Provision for child care/ transportation (within the stipend). Bilingual/ bicultural counseling/ mentoring opportunities.
Academic Inadequate academic preparation. Classes scheduled during work time. English difficulties. Need for advising and monitoring. Flexible schedule. Closely monitored academic advising. Tutoring. English language instruction CALPS level. On-site faculty mentors. PRAXIS-I review courses