Initiative Update

A University System consortium consisting of four USG institutions in the northern third of the state is implementing a pilot project focusing on (1) a strategy to increase the number of K-12 personnel qualified to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages; and (2) an outreach/marketing strategy to encourage more Latino youth to pursue higher education in the University System of Georgia.

In fall 2000, project participants examined the programs and services currently in place at each institution and identified programs and services that could be expanded or added. In early 2001, the consortium initiated five specific projects to address the two primary goals of this initiative. These projects are being pursued in close collaboration with K-12 school districts and community organizations. As the success of these projects is demonstrated, the pilot project will be expanded to include other institutions for replication in other parts of the state.

This initiative was originally funded at $375,000 for FY02, but the project budget was reduced in November 2001 by $100,000 (27 percent) as part of mandated cuts in state agency operations. Funding has been reduced an additional $13,750 (five percent) for FY03. Despite this curtailed level of financial support, all elements of the initiative have continued, but at more modest scale.

Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

During 2001, the project team developed an innovative, Web-based endorsement series with the goal of increasing the number of ESOL-certified primary- and secondary-school teachers in Georgia. The Hispanic Pilot Project trained 12 USG instructors in how to teach the online endorsement series, which includes the courses Language and Culture in the Classroom, ESOL in P-12 Settings, and First and Second Language Acquisition and Development.

By providing access to these Web-based courses, a greater number of participants have access to ESOL training at times and locations convenient to them. The online ESOL endorsement series developed by the Project is available in CD-Rom format for use by any USG institution. In 2001-2002, 137 primary- and secondary-school teachers took the online ESOL endorsement courses. The Hispanic Pilot Project provides funding for the three-course series.

In 2002, the Hispanic Pilot Project began offering the ESOL endorsement courses to K-12 teachers for Staff Development Unit (SDU) credit. There are currently 137 Georgia educators enrolled in the three-part endorsement series, which began in September 2002. Teachers enrolled in the courses teach in 25 schools throughout 12 Georgia counties: Barrow, Clarke, DeKalb, Elberton, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Jackson, Lowndes, Madison, Oglethorpe, and Walton.

Six groups of students are taught onsite at USG institutions in north Georgia, and an online session is available for those unable to attend onsite classes. The courses are being offered though UGA's College of Education.

Outreach

The first component of the outreach initiative is the Steps To College (STC) program for middle-school and high-school students whose first language is not English. Because many Hispanic students are unaware of the advantages of attending post-secondary institutions and have limited contact with a college environment, this project invites students to participate in a five-week program that establishes ongoing mentoring relationships, promotes utilization of English language skills, and helps them prepare for graduation tests. In addition, Hispanic students gain a familiarity with a college environment, making them more likely to pursue a college certificate or degree.

Last year's program drew more than 140 student participants to programs at Gainesville College and Dalton State College. The program for Summer 2002 was expanded, and 256 students participated in STC programs at three participating University System of Georgia institutions: 138 students at Gainesville College; 80 students at Dalton State, and 38 students at UGA's new Steps To College Program. A continuation of the summer STC program will take place throughout the academic year, and these program extensions include tutoring and mentoring programs, campus visits, and other campus-oriented activities.

The second project component addresses the need for a means to publicize the projects and provide resources to both Hispanic students and their families to increase an awareness of opportunities and resources available to them in higher education. A bilingual Web site targeting Hispanics, with links to post-secondary educational resources and mentoring programs, has been developed. This Web site has been designed to provide a central source of information about the many activities of the Hispanic Task Force Initiative. See www.uga.edu/hispanicproject for more information on the Hispanic Pilot Project's programs and resources.

College and University Awareness Program

For the 2002-2003 academic year, the service learning project component was restructured to focus on college preparatory efforts and has been renamed the College and University Awareness Program (CUAP). The goal of CUAP is to provide funding to stimulate the development of innovative projects that are responsive to the needs of Hispanic students in Georgia by linking USG institutions with local school systems and community organizations and outreach efforts. Specifically, CUAP supports activities designed to increase the numbers of Hispanic students and parents who are informed about the advantages of attaining a high school diploma and pursuing post-secondary education.