What Works in ELD

English Language Development (ELD) programs can facilitate a student's transition from no English, or limited English, to fluency and mastery of the language.  Having looked at what works in ELD, there are five areas which were identified:

1) Language Assessment
2) Core Class Placement
3) Access to Language
4) Language Acquisition
5) Reassess & Reevaluate

These five areas are essential to the language development of students whose native or primary language is not English, and should be analysed by connecting them to the following three categories:

1) Personal Experiences
2) Professional Experiences
3) Data & Research

The guide below shows a way that this connection can be done, you can also open the guide here  to access the file.

	HOW IT WORKS
WHAT WORKS	PERSONAL EXPERIENCE	PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE	DATA & RESEARCH
LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT
CORE CLASS PLACEMENT
LANGUAGE ACCESS
LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
RE-ASSESS & RE-EVALUATE
Copyright 2015. MRCR Educational Consulting Firm. All Rights Reserved.

This guide is designed to assist with the facilitation of ELD instruction at various educational levels and to chart a roadmap that guides students as they move toward fluency and mastery of the English language.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Reaching out to Parents on STEAM

What is STEAM Education?
  
Most educators would surely be able to, if not answer this question, talk about it with some understanding of it.  Some students would also be able to speak about STEAM to some extent, as they may be participating in such programs at school.  Elected officials, community and business leaders are also becoming increasingly aware of STEAM and the role it is playing in education and employment.

• But how aware are parents of STEAM education?
• Do they truly understand what STEAM is, the effect it is having in education, and how it will help their children with both future education and employment?
• Do parents assume because this is one of the current buzz words of today, that STEAM has been automatically been implemented in schools?
• Have we, as educators, done enough to reach out to parents on STEAM, and made sure that they are well informed on what is being done at all levels of education, and beyond, with regard to the implementation of STEAM education into everyday activities in school?

It is important that we reach out to parents and share with them the benefits that STEAM brings to the student, the classroom, the school, and the community. Without the support of our parents, STEAM would be missing a key component in its implementation.  As educators, we should do all we can to make sure that we are reaching out to parents.

Here are a few ideas on how educators can reach out to parents and make them aware of the importance of STEAM:

1. Talk to parents.  It is still the best way to communicate.  Educators can engage with parents and inquire if they know or have heard of STEAM education.
2. Encourage students to share with their parents how STEAM plays a role in their education, and how the classroom is acquiring knowledge in STEAM and developing the skills required.
3. Host a STEAM event at your school, where students share some of the work they are doing, and how it relates to STEAM.
4. Invite parents to attend open forums, discussions, trainings, seminars, etc. that are design to share information on STEAM, its benefits, and applications in school and work.
5. Utilize social media to share updates, classwork, reference material, and other information that can engage parents into becoming part of the conversation of STEAM in schools, education, and careers. 

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

St. Patrick's Day

Wishing everyone a

Happy St. Patrick's Day!




Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

A 4-Step Guide to STEAM Education

STEAM Education continues to gain momentum and supporters from the community.

Students, parents, teachers, administrators, and many others have become advocates of STEAM for it can provide many benefits to the education process.

STEAM also benefits the growth of students, as they are learning, while preparing for their pursuit of higher education and professional employment.

For those who are interested in the integration of STEAM in their educational communities, the following four steps can serve as a starting point in a journey toward STEAM Education:

First, Create a STEAM Team.

Second, Observe and Research STEAM Programs.

Third, Start a Dialog with the Community.

Fourth, Plan & Design an Implementation Roadmap.


The first step toward STEAM Education should be to create a STEAM Team.
It can be quite a challenge to take on the task of STEAM Implementation on our own, without any help or assistance from others.  One person would also have limited achievement, without the collaboration which other can contribute, and a singular point of view.  But with a team that is diverse, collaborates, and is willing to take on the task of STEAM Education, many goals can be successfully achieved.
The STEAM Team should be composed of 5 to 12 members who are knowledgeable, skillful, and can dedicate their time to this task.  It should draw from students, parents, teachers, administrators, support staff, and volunteers from the community.

With a team in place to take on STEAM Education, the second step of observing and researching STEAM programs can proceed.
The STEAM Team should find and discover which resources and support is available from other schools and districts, the county and state departments of education, and businesses who support STEAM.
This can be done online, through social media, by contracting professional services, attending training seminars and hosting speakers, and any other source on STEAM.
The team should also schedule visits to successful STEAM programs to take a closer look at what it took for their program to reach success.

As the STEAM Team searches further understanding of STEAM, they should maintain an open dialog with the public.
The third step should be to start a dialog with the community.  Schedule regular meetings and forums, at convenient times, where team members can share and report the progress that is being made.
This step also provides the helpful benefit of maintaining clarity through the exchange of thoughts and ideas, questions and answers.  It provides the opportunity to seek input from members of the community who's support will be needed in the implementation of STEAM Education.
An open dialog also allows for the public to become educated on STEAM while being a part of the decision making process.

The fourth and final step for the STEAM Team is to plan and design an implementation roadmap.
This roadmap will serve as the final guide toward the construction and maintenance of the structure toward STEAM implementation as envisioned for the school or district by the team. It should clearly state: Why STEAM education should be implemented, establish a timeline for implementation, and designate at which locations this implementation will take place.
The finalized roadmap should be presented to appropriate body (ie. School Council, District Board, County, State & other government agencies) for review and approval of the implementation of STEAM education that will be taking place.

As stated earlier these four steps toward STEAM education implementation are but the start of a journey that begins with a dedicated team.  A STEAM team that can lead the implementation process from beginning to end.
This team, of leaders in education, will have an important role in a decision making process that will greatly benefit current and future students, as they prepare for the challenges of their adult lives, and acquire the skills & knowledge that facilitate their chance to succeed.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

March 2015

SPRING ON AHEAD

"The arrival of March brings with it spring.  As winter wanes we spring on ahead towards summer, and another education year will come to a close.

Manuel R. CortezRodas
Chief Educator/Founder
MRCR Education

This past February was a most productive period for me as I continue to grow as Chief Educator at MRCR Education.

The 5th Annual San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Education Colloquium demonstrated the growth that STEAM Education has achieved in becoming an important part of education throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

This was followed by a speech before the Alameda Unified School District Board of Education on English Language Development, and the need to prioritize and fund such programs while supporting the staff and students who are a part of it. 

I look forward to what may come marching in this spring, and how it can be of use to educators, as they continue their efforts to prepare today's learners and students so they may become seekers of higher education and developers of professional carriers.  

Without education, civilizations collapse under the heavy burden of ignorance and injustice. This is why education is among the most fundamental processes that allows for us, as a people, to design, develop, and create great cultures that are knowledgeable, thoughtful, and just.

Thank you for your continued commitment to education, and I look forward to sharing more with your as we gear up toward the end of the school year."

Sincerely,

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder MRCR Education

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved