Grant Helps Teachers Learn How to Reach Students Whose First Language is Other than English

CRANSTON, RI -- The teachers are going back to school, according to Chris Barnett of the Rhode Island Foundation.

His organization has chosen 12 Cranston educators, who will hit the books at Rhode Island College or the University of Rhode Island and participate in "intensive English as a Second Language Instruction training ."

Statewide, 60 teachers were selected to participate in the program.

Mia Acciardo, Lisa Barrentine, Heather Breton, Mary Colannino, Sheila Grace, Brianna Lennon, Henry Maine, Karen Motta, Cheryl Ann Palombo, Dawn Renaud, Kimberly Salimeno and Leah Turcotte are the Cranston teachers.

Jeannine Nota-Masse, Cranston school superintendent, said the district needs "more qualified teachers for our EL population, and this certainly helps encourage educators to pursue this certification. I hope this program will enhance our efforts to better serve our students."

Some eight percent of the district’s students are classified as English Learners, Barnett said. Typically, these students struggle on standardized tests.

As Neil Steinberg, the Foundation’s president and chief executive officer explained, “our goal is to support this initiative to improve the literacy skills, bilingual capability and academic success of English Learners across the state. Their educational success depends on closing gaps in student outcomes and one of the best investments we can make is in the professional development of teachers and school leaders.”

The Rhode Island Foundation is contributing $160,000 in grants, part of an $480,000 ESL training initiative that aims at closing the achievement gap for the youngsters considered English Language Learners.

Statewide, only 9 percent of English Learners met expectations in reading and writing, compared with 38 percent of all students taking the PARCC assessment in 2016, according to the state education department.

The 18-month program will also draw teachers from Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

The Foundation awarded grants to Rhode Island College and the University of Rhode Island, which combined to provide another $160,000 in funding through partial scholarships for participating teachers.

Some teachers will attend classes led by RIC faculty in schools in Providence and Central Falls; others will take an online curriculum through URI.

PHOTO CAPTION (L-R) Twelve Cranston public school teachers have been selected to participate in a new English as a Second Language Instruction training program. (L-R) Lisa Barrentine, Sheila Grace, Mary Colannino, Dawn Renaud, Mia Acciardo, Superintendent Jeannine Nota-Masse and Kristin Ward attended the program’s kick-off last week. Photo Courtesy the Rhode Island Foundation.