Teaching the Skills Necessary for the Naturalization Interview

Presenter: Michael  R. Jones, Ph.D., Senior Advisor on Immigrant Education and Testing for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Office of Citizenship, Washington. D.C.

After eight years in development, the revised naturalization test was implemented nationwide on October 1, 2008. The goal of the redesigned test initiative was to develop a test that is standardized across the nation and meaningful to those who take it. Dr. Jones will discuss the history of citizenship testing in the United States, explain why it was time to develop a new test, and review the five skill areas needed for applicants to be successful on the revised test and during the interview process in general.

Supporting English Learners in Mainstream Classes

Presenter: Albert S. Lozano, Assistant Elementary Level Chair & Assistant Professor, California State University, Sacramento

This presentation will focus on supporting English learners’ development of writing skills in the elementary grades, a much-needed topic given No Child Left Behind’s emphasis on standardized test scores in reading and mathematics. The presentation will also discuss ways to foster collaborate efforts between elementary classrooms and teacher education programs as a way to support ELs’ writing development and future educators becoming solid writing instructors.

20 Web 2.0 Tools for Student Literacy Projects

Presenters: Kristi Reyes, Mira Costa College; Elizabeth Clark, Mira Costa College
Beth Bogage; and San Diego Community College Continuing Education

Blogs, podcasts, and wikis are Web 2.0 tools that can be used by instructors to create an online presence for their classes, but students can use these tools, too. If you are already familiar with these Internet resources, come to learn about sites for making blogs, online books, slideshows, interactive timelines, Voice Threads, and mash-ups. Participants will receive a handout with Web sites, descriptions, and instructor or student examples.

What Teachers Need to Know about Developing Tests

Presenters: Dr. Priyanvada Abeywickrama, San Francisco State University, and Dr. Nathan Carr, California State University, Fullerton

This presentation provides teachers with an overview of the test development process. It begins with a discussion of how to plan tests, i.e., drawing up test specifications, followed by specific advice on how to write tests following the plan, and ways to handle scoring. The presentation concludes with a question and answer session.

Presenters: Sarah McGregor: ALP, CSU East Bay; Sarah Moyer: ALI, CSU Long Beach; and Gretchen Owens, ALI, SFSU

IEPs frequently experience sudden influxes of students from one particular country (China, Saudi Arabia, etc.) due to global economics and politics beyond the institution’s control.  How do institutions deal with these rapid changes?  In this session the presenters, administrators and teachers at three CSU IEPs , will share their experiences dealing with high impact demographic changes.  They will offer insights that will help both teachers and administrators deal with the demands that such shifts in population precipitate.

Panelists: Jeff Frost, CATESOL Legislative Advocate; Bette Empol, Socio-Political Coordinator; and Lisa Ireland, Socio-Political Coordinator 

What is CATESOL doing to promote legislation which supports ESL teachers and their students?  What is the latest on the 2009-2010 Education Budget?  How might it affect your level?  Participants will get the latest updates on legislation and have an opportunity to review the legislative process.  Time will be allowed to ask questions.  Appropriate for all levels.