The
Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) seeks proposals from
Arkansas universities and professional development providers in partnership
with a university, to host an annual English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) Institute beginning in the summer of 2024. Although DESE will approve
ESOL Institute proposals for a three-year period, the award must be renewed
annually based on the availability of funds, satisfactory performance on
participant evaluations, compliance with DESE reporting and requirements, and
the success rate for ESOL Institute graduates passing the ESOL Praxis upon
first administration.
Public
school districts in Arkansas have an obligation to provide the personnel and
resources necessary to effectively implement their chosen ESOL programs (Rules Governing Student Special Needs Funding:
5.05.1-5.05.7).
This obligation includes having an adequate number of highly qualified teachers
to provide language assistance services, trained administrators who can
evaluate these teachers, and adequate and appropriate materials for the ESOL
programs.
The
ESOL Institute is a professional development program for teachers of English
Learners who are seeking an ESOL endorsement. The ESOL Institute is conducted
in the summer with ongoing support throughout the school year as the
participants apply new concepts in their classrooms. All participants should
complete the entire program by June 15, the year following their acceptance into the ESOL Institute.
A
completed RFP proposal packet, grant budget and budget narrative, and a statement
of assurances, along with appropriate support data and a letter from the
college President or professional development's Chief Officer must be submitted
by Thursday, March 7, 2024, to:
Preferred: English.Learners@ade.arkansas.gov
or
Lupe Peña de Martínez
Director of
Student Support Services, Acting ESOL Program Director
Arkansas Department of Education
Four Capitol
Mall
Little Rock, AR
72201
lupe.pena@ade.arkansas.gov
Anticipated
timeline of ESOL Institute determination process:
- Proposal packets are due to DESE by March 7, 2024.
- Selected sites will be notified by March 29, 2024.
- A public announcement of ESOL Institute sites/dates/registration information will be made by April 15, 2024.
If
you have questions about the RFP for the ESOL Institute, please contact English.Learners@ade.arkansas.gov or Lupe.Pena@ade.arkansas.gov.