"Building Leadership for Change through School Immersion" is an initiative of the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its aim is to strengthen the values, skills, knowledge and attitudes of teachers, counselors and principals through university-led structured immersion in high-performing, English-speaking K–12 school systems.
Two-way dual language learning programs, known as TWI, use two languages for literacy and content instruction for all students, not only those learning to use English. The partner languages (often English and Spanish) are used over an extended period of time to present the same academic content and address the same standards as other educational programs. TWIs are regarded as one of the most effective ways of promoting biliteracy. But despite the inclusiveness inherent in TWIs, recent research shows that inequities still exist, says principal investigator Claudia Cervantes-Soon.
How can we improve teacher effectiveness and attitudes to increase student achievement in Arizona’s high-needs K-12 public schools?
Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally in student achievement and teacher satisfaction. In the 2007 Arizona Teacher Working Conditions Survey, Arizona teachers reported feeling frustrated with a lack of professional development, absence of a mentoring system, low pay and few opportunities for professional growth.
Rural school districts offering computer science education encounter challenges that many urban districts don’t. A 2013 survey by Science Foundation Arizona reported that less than half of students in Arizona’s 13 rural counties have internet access at home. Other obstacles include: