Bilingual Scholars Program

WOU Bilingual Teacher Scholars ProgramA Partnership for Oregon’s Success

Program Overview

• Critical Need• Partnership focused on student success• Economic Challenge• Program Design• Student Voices• Closing Thoughts

Cultural and Linguistic Gap = Lower Achievement

• 1 in 5 Oregon students are Latino BUT only 1 in 25 teachers are LatinoSource: Oregon Chief Education Office

• Last year Oregon licensed 71 new bilingual teachers BUT Salem Keizer School District needed 80Sources: TSPC and Salem Keizer School District

A Partnership focused on student success that can be expanded2015-16• Central School District, Hillsboro School District, and

Salem Keizer School District• 50 new students

2016-17• Central School District, Corvallis School District, Hillsboro

School District, Salem Keizer School District, and Woodburn School District

• Chemeketa Community College• 50 new students• Other interested school districts

An AffordabilityBarrier

• Majority of students have high financial need

• Average WOU award in 2015-16: $5,500 +

• School districts provide summer employment

• WOU cannot afford to expand program

• WOU will reduce average award for new 2016-17 students

Program Design

• Students selected in active collaboration withpartner districts

• Cohort model• Inclusion in WOU student-success support

programs like Student Enrichment and On-Track• Monthly professional development meetings • Active mentoring by WOU faculty, WOU staff, and

school district personnel• Content delivered in English and Spanish

(US History, mathematics pedagogy, and education)

Program Design (continued)

• Test prep support and tutoring provided

• Summer employment in home districts and agencies

• Assured student teaching placements in home district

• Guaranteed “first to interview” status in home district

Bottom Line“Taking excellent young people from local communities, helping them through college, and returning them to their communities to change the world through teaching.”

Key Connections

• Aligned with Educator Equity Act and HB 3375• Natural extension of WOU’s legacy of excellence in

educator preparation• Facilitated by our extensive expertise and

leadership in bilingual education• Supports SSCM (Student Success and Completion

Model) priority area• WOU is strongly committed to the diversification

of the educator workforce

Student Comments

Belen Tencos, Hillsboro High School• Becoming a teacher and the critical role of mentors• Plans for the future

Amairaney Ramirez, McKay High School, Salem-Keizer• Becoming a teacher and the culture of support

at WOU• Plans for the future

Closing Thoughts A Vision for the Future

• Critical Oregon and national need• Model can be expanded with more funding• Native American collaboration

Questions?

Thank you