Stephen F. Austin State University

Lufkin ISD has teamed up with Nacogdoches ISD and Stephen F. Austin State University to implement project ENLACE (English Language Acquisition Center for Excellence). The project is based on the Professional Development School model and includes all professional stakeholders: teachers, counselors, principals, district leaders, and teacher educators. The goal is to support and enable the professional development of school and higher education faculty in an effort to increase learning and achievement for English Language Learners.

ENLACE, which means connection or link in Spanish, prepares teachers to effectively teach English Language Learners. The connections extend from pre-service teachers to in-service teachers; from administrators to teacher educators. By 2015, second generation children of immigrants are expected to make up 30 percent of the school-aged population. This means teachers, even those who aren't teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, will be more likely to have students whose first language is not English. Project ENLACE is an attempt to better prepare teachers to deal with mixed language classrooms, as well as get them certified to teach ESL.

"The number of ESL students is on the rise, but we have a shortage of teachers who are qualified to teach those classes," said Sylvia Eubanks, LISD bilingual/ESL coordinator. "The grant that is attached to the project will allow us to send more teachers from our district to get their ESL certification, and also more of the education students graduating from SFA will be trained under the infused curriculum."

During the first year of ENLACE, a curriculum committee has met to infuse all Texas' ESL standards into the teacher education curriculum at SFA. The goal is for 2010 graduates of SFA's College of Education to be prepared for the ESL Supplemental exam and achieve ESL certification. In addition to the infused curriculum and ESL training that will become a part of the College of Education, current teachers will also have an opportunity to attend English Language Learners Leadership Institutes. These leadership institutes will focus on language acquisition, immigrant experiences, and specific strategies for students.

"Six teachers from each ENLACE campus will be prepared to become ESL certified this Spring," Eubanks said. "Throughout the course of the five year grant, more teachers will become certified each year."

In all, close to 80 teachers will gain ESL certification, which should provide a huge boost for area schools. After training, teachers are provided support from mentor coaches on their campuses.

ENLACE campuses in Lufkin include: Lufkin High School, Lufkin Middle School, Coston, Dunbar, Herty, and Slack Elementary.

For more information on the grant, the project, or to view upcoming events, power points, and other resources, visit www2.sfasu.edu/enlace.