Initiatives | SCOE
The initiatives described on this page are coordinated by SCOE in support of the Aiming High goal to close the achievement gap.
Additional Resource Pages
Aiming High Resource Briefs
The Aiming High Briefs were a series of SCOE publications issued between 2005 and 2010 that focused on strategies for improving instruction for English learners and provided resources for implementation and further study.
Contact: Patty Dineen, (707) 522-3151 or pdineen@scoe.org
Early Learners Summit
The focus of Aiming High’s preschool/elementary workgroup is improving school readiness and preschool-to-kindergarten articulation. The workgroup is comprised of representatives from school districts, preschools, educational agencies, interested businesses, community organizations, and parents. The workgroup holds an annual Early Learners Summit to convene early educators from the 0-5 and kindergarten levels for collaborative education, training, and dialogue. Each year, a keynote speaker is featured and topics related to the needs of young children whose home language is not English are highlighted.
Contact: Pam Turner, (707) 524-2779 or pturner@scoe.org
English Learner Collaborative (ELC)
The English Learner Collaborative is a SCOE project designed to create a network of teachers trained in instructional strategies to advance the achievement of English learners in mainstream and sheltered classrooms. Teachers participating in this program receive five days of training in current research and instructional strategies for EL students. The training is scheduled throughout the school year and provides opportunities for teacher collaboration to improve classroom instructional practices. Training in working with adult learners and developing collegial relationships is also available for those interested in providing peer-to-peer coaching at their school sites to advance EL achievement schoolwide.
Contact: Patty Dineen, (707) 524-2908 or pdineen@scoe.org
Parent Outreach Articles
Each month, SCOE submits an education article for publication in La Voz Bilingual Newspaper as part of the parent outreach component of Aiming High. The articles focus on broadening parent understanding of educational issues and strategies that can help prepare children for school success. All Parent Outreach Articles are available as Word documents and may be adapted for, or reprinted in, school newsletters. Each article is available in both English and Spanish.
Contact: Reina Salgado, (707) 522-2039 or rsalgado@scoe.org
SB 472 English Learner Professional Development
Certified instructors provide this state-approved, 40-hour training designed to help teachers better understand the instructional needs of English learners. Extensive modeling and practice of research-based instructional strategies are included. Teachers build lessons with content and language objectives, then get feedback from colleagues and instructors.
To encourage district participation, SCOE partially underwrote the cost of the 2010-11 training for interested Aiming High districts. Read comments (pdf) from teachers who participated. How has their instructional delivery changed as a result of the training? How are they applying the practices they learned?
Contact: Patty Dineen, (707) 524-2908 or pdineen@scoe.org
School Talk, Radio Broadcasts for the Hispanic Community
Sponsored by SCOE and local businesses/community agencies, School Talk is a weekly Spanish-language radio program that highlights information about schools and education.
Contact: Stacie Post-Sheffer, (707) 524-2813 or spost@scoe.org