Bilingual Authorization: Addendum to Common Standards
Standard 1: Educational Leadership
The Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program is an integral part
of Kremen School of Education and Human Development (KSOEHD). The school of education
holds primary responsibility for hiring faculty; program development and change; and
policies and procedures. The Dean of the School of Education has given key priority
to supporting the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program. In
support, he has appointed a “Bilingual Coordinator” for the program and provided a
3-unit course release time for the duties of that position.
The Bilingual Coordinator has the leadership responsibility of implementing and monitoring
a credential recommendation process that ensures that bilingual candidates recommended
for a credential have met all program requirements. The Bilingual Coordinator will
also collaborate jointly with the Liberal Studies Program Coordinator, the Multiple
Subject Program Coordinator, the Field Experience Coordinator, and Committee and the
Administrative Advising Staff in order to ensure that bilingual candidates are placed
in their appropriate courses and placements.
Additional leadership in the Bilingual Program also consists of specific faculty members
from the LEE Department Bilingual Committee. The purpose of this committee is to
discuss program issues, bilingual candidate’s needs, and to make revisions to the
program. The committee meets quarterly throughout the year. The Bilingual Advisory
Committee also includes community leadership. This committee meets twice a year and
consist of bilingual faculty from the LEE Department, other member of the University
community, and representatives from surrounding school districts. The purpose of
this committee is to provide advising and support to the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong
Bilingual Authorization Program and to promote and refine a vision for bilingual education
in the Central San Joaquin Valley.
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Standard 2: Unit and Program Assessment and Evaluation
The Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Credential Program is an integral
part of the KSOEHD Multiple Subject 2042 Credential Program that has been accredited
by CCTC. The Bilingual Coordinator serves on the Multiple Subject Program Review
Committee. This committee meets at least twice a month to discuss program issues
and teacher candidate needs and to make revisions to the program. These committees
consist of representative of various programs, department chairs, Multiple Subject
Coordinator, Supervisors, Administrators, Advising, and Public Schools. As such,
the Bilingual Coordinator collaborates extensively with all members of this program
to ensure that the Bilingual program is meeting state’s standards and in compliance
with CCTC (see Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment).
The Multiple Subject 2042 Credential Program has received significant support from
practitioners and administrators in local education agencies and from the Academic
Vice President/Provost at the university. In addition, the Dean of the School of
Education has given key priority to supporting program development related to Bilingual
credentials, resolving program needs, and giving emphasis on renewing Bilingual credentialing
in teacher education.
All procedures, including record keeping, in the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual
Authorization Program are the same as other credential programs, including CBEST,
CSET, RICA (multiple subject), TPA and other test requirements, certificate of clearance,
tuberculin test, entry interview, etc. (see Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment).
The appropriate curriculum for the preparation of new bilingual teachers is determined
by the faculty of the Fresno State Bilingual Authorization Program with input from
a variety of sources including: the CCTC/NCATE standards; and suggestions from supervisors,
cooperating teachers, faculty, students, alumni, and practitioners in the field. Final
recommendations are made to the Dean who makes final decisions regarding curriculum
policy. Any policies that affect other programs are brought before the curriculum
committee.
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Standard 3: Resources
Financial Resource
The university receives a budget allocation that averaged $3,298 per FTE and the Kremen
School of Education and Human Development receives an average of $4,694 per FTE due
to the extensive field supervision that occurs in teacher education programs. The
California State University system and the university provide budgetary support for
professional development in the form of sabbaticals, scholarly activities, program
innovation, travel and research. In addition to the system and university-wide support,
the dean has provided a $200,000 fund to support research and grant writing for faculty
within the School. In addition, the dean has given priority to supporting program
endeavors related to bilingual and multicultural education, and giving renewed emphasis
to the importance of the Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program.
Annual budget resources support the core programs of the university, such as the Fresno
State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program. Budgeting decisions are decentralized
at CSU, Fresno, so the Dean is responsible for allocating funding to departments and
other entities within KSOEHD. External funding supports numerous projects, partnerships
and research initiatives. Indirect cost recovery brings significant resources to the
unit each year (see Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment)
Library Resources
The California State University, Fresno Library is the best library among the 24
campuses in the CSU System. The Arne Nixon Center for Research on Children’s Literature
maintains the largest collection of multicultural children’s books for research in
the West Coast. In addition, the library offers a Teacher Resource Center. This center
provides a collection of teaching materials used in pre-Kindergarten through grade
12 classrooms. Electronic resources at the library are also extensive. Online journal
access is available from several databases including ERIC, Education Research Complete,
and Education Index Retrospective.
Physical and Technological Resources
The university has ample classroom space, conference rooms, offices and computer labs.
Most of the classrooms are “smart classrooms” and most spaces at the university have
wireless access. The information technology resources within the unit support faculty,
staff and student needs. Wireless and Ethernet connections are available in all classrooms,
office spaces and conference rooms in the Education Building. Candidates have access
to the wireless network with their personal computers. Desktop computers are also
available to candidates in several locations throughout the facility. Blackboard and
Task Stream are technology-based resources available to faculty and candidates. Task
Stream participation is required of candidates all in initial preparation programs.
Technical support within KSOEHD is available to faculty, staff and students.
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Standard 4: Faculty and Instructional Personnel
Tenure track professors who teach in the program are selected through a national search.
The KSOEHD advertises in the Chronicle for Higher Education and other publications
typically viewed by minority candidates. Candidates, who apply as a tenure track
professor and will teach in this program, must show documentation that they have graduated
from a respected university and have earned a doctorate (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in bilingual/multicultural
education or a related field (such as Spanish or Hmong). Candidates nearing completion
of a doctorate (ABD) may be considered for a lectureship (temporary position) with
the possibility of conversion to tenure track upon completion of the doctorate. Candidates
must have at least three years of successfully teaching in K-8 classrooms. Candidates
are expected to demonstrate a commitment to or potential for teaching excellence and
scholarly activity at the university level. Preference is given to candidates who
have a strong background working with English learners. Successful candidate must
have the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, and students from diverse
ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Adjunct professors may also be hired when tenure track professors are not available.
They must have a master’s degree in bilingual education or related field; a strong
vita that demonstrates experience in bilingual education; and the ability to communicate
clearly the ideas of bilingual education.
Both tenure track and adjunct professors are selected by a committee of professors
from the department and are supported with the Division of Human Resources.
The Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program reflects the institutional
commitment to the goals of cultural pluralism and ethnic diversity. The existing
Bilingual Credential Program faculty members are fluent speakers in either Spanish
or Hmong languages. The Bilingual Credential Program at this institution is over
30 years old.
The mission statement of the University and the College of Education include an explicit
commitment to multicultural/ethnic diversity education and the concomitant variables
necessary to deliver the core curriculum. These variables include a culturally diverse
faculty, particularly with regard to race/ethnicity and gender.
Names of tenure track faculty with expertise in bilingual/multicultural areas and
language proficiency:
| Elsa Castillo | SPAN 121 A |
| Cosme Zaragoza | SPAN 134 |
| Phil Gonzales | CLAS 116 |
| Stanley Lucero | LEE 136 |
| Kao-Ly Yang | HMONG 100 & HMONG 101 |
| Phong Yang | LEE 129 |
| Tony Vang | LEE 135 |
| Hank Delcore | ANTH 123 |
| Laura Alamillo | EHD 170 |
Names of part-time faculty with experience and expertise in bilingual/multicultural areas:
| Debbie Avila | SPAN 119 |
| Julio Corrella | EHD 170 |
The quality and effectiveness of the faculty Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program (as well as other faculty in the Department) are regularly evaluated in several ways. Faculty, who work in the program, have been recognized as state and national leaders and has accepted positions/responsibilities related to teaching and education. Faculty members serve as investigators and co-investigators on various teacher diversity grants. The faculty members have published extensively in the field of bilingual/multilingual education (see Faculty Vitas).
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Standard 5: Admission
Prior to admission into the AB 2042 Multiple Subject Credential and the Bilingual
Program, a candidate must have completed or be near completion of the requirements
for a baccalaureate degree. The recommended Liberal Studies concentrations for both
the AB 2042 Multiple Subject Credential and the Bilingual Credential is the Bilingual
Concentration (Spanish/Hmong). The required GPA for entry into program is 2.75 in
the last 60 units or 2.67 overall (on a 4 point scale). The application process and
personal interviews are additional factors considered in determining program admittance
(see Liberal Studies Blended Major and Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment)
Assessment of Written and Oral Communication
The Bilingual Coordinator assesses oral communication of teacher candidate in either
Spanish or Hmong initially in the entry interview. The written skills are assessed
throughout their course of study in the Bilingual Credential Program including SPAN
134, Spanish in Bilingual Schools, LEE 136 Teaching Content in Spanish or LEE 129,
Hmong Bilingual Schools and LEE 135, Teaching Content in Hmong.
Admission to program requires that students score at the ACFLT Intermediate High level
on the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Language Proficiency exam. The exam will be administered
as a part of SPAN 134 / LEE 129 and again as a part of LEE 136 / LEE 135 for students
who did not reach the Intermediate High level.
Entry Interview
Candidates must successfully pass the entry interview with the Bilingual Coordinator
to be admitted to the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program.
The interview involves a dialogue about the candidate's willingness to complete the
program; their sensitivity to children of differing ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic
backgrounds; their pre-professional experiences, and their personal qualities. These
interviews are conducted in the target language in order to ascertain their language
skills and their multicultural knowledge of various ethnic groups. In addition, a
Check List Advising Form is used to review prior coursework taken under the Liberal
Studies Bilingual Concentration and advice on remaining courses under the Multiple
Subject Program (see Check List Advising Form).
Professional Assistance
Students receive information about the on-campus Career Center at the orientation
meeting at the beginning of the semester. The Program Coordinator invites a member
of the Center's staff to speak to the students in the student teaching seminar. A
bulletin board with up-to-date job opportunities is also maintained adjacent to the
Teacher Education Office.
Personal Assistance
Faculty provides ongoing counseling in formal and informal settings with each student.
Students with non-academic problems are referred to counseling, and if necessary,
counseled out of the program. Counseling services are available to all students through
the Counseling Center.
The Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program believes in and practices
continuous evaluation of all credential candidates. This evaluation process assists
candidates in meeting the complex and demanding requirements of the program and assesses
candidates who are unable to benefit from retention. CBEST and CSET preparation workshops
are available through the Division of Continuing and Extended Education to assist
students in passing the State required CBEST examination.
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Standard 6: Advice and Assistance
The Multiple Subject Credential Program, which is an integral part of the Fresno State
Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Credential Program, has developed a handbook
for student teaching, which defines the roles and responsibilities of student teachers,
cooperating teachers, and university supervisors. The handbook includes sample evaluation
forms that are used to assess the teacher candidates' performance. These materials
and the attendant responsibilities are reviewed with the appropriate people at the
beginning of each semester as well as in weekly seminars for student teachers (see
Multiple Subject Field Work Handbook). In addition, available fliers on course listing and pathway in obtaining Bilingual
authorized credential are available online through KSOEHD website, the Bilingual Program
Bulletin board (located in school of education building) and from Bilingual Coordinator
(see Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program Flyer).
All university supervisors have relevant bilingual, multicultural and public school
teaching experience. They have theoretical knowledge and practical experience appropriate
to the student teacher placement level. They are available to conduct observations
and conferences with each student teacher as stipulated in the Supervision Policy
and Procedures (see Multiple Subject Supervisor Manual).
In addition to formal arrangements, collaboration between Fresno State and the local
schools exists at a number of informal levels. Local educators are invited as guest
lectures in many of the Bilingual Credential classes. Districts hire our faculty
as curriculum consultants, and faculty often volunteer services as speakers for workshops
and school meetings. In coordination with the local districts, a Teacher Employment
Fair is held each year in the university campus.
Bilingual/Multilingual Expertise
The cooperating teacher and the university supervisor share responsibility for guiding,
assisting, and evaluating student teachers. Their responsibilities are delineated
in the handbook, Multiple Subject Supervisor Manual, published by KSOEHD. Many of
the cooperating teachers have completed training in clinical supervision and in teaching
culturally diverse classrooms. University supervisors and the cooperating teachers
have at least three years of teaching experience in culturally diverse classrooms
and have bilingual expertise or possess bilingual authorization. Quality supervision
is key to a meaningful student teaching experience in a bilingual/dual language classroom.
Guidance and Assistance Provided to Student Teachers
Program candidates begin their student teaching experience on the first day of the
semester, and they complete their student teaching experience on the last day of the
semester. Candidates doing their student teaching in the fall are encouraged to work
with the cooperating teacher prior to the opening of school in order to gain valuable
knowledge on preparing a classroom for the first week of school. The student teacher
spends the beginning week observing the cooperating teacher. The student teacher
gradually assumes responsibilities for planning and implementing. The student teacher
takes on responsibility more rapidly and will have one week of "guided solo" and two
additional weeks of total responsibility prior to the end of the student teaching
assignment.
Feedback to Student Teachers
There is a formal Mid-Semester –Teacher Candidate Assessment/Goal Setting forms and
a meeting – EHD 178 (page 59-60) and EHD 170 (pages 86-87) and Final Teacher Candidate Assessment/Goal Setting Forms and a meeting – EHD 178 (page 61-62) and EHD 170 (page 88-89) and Final Certification of Competency EHD 178 (page 48-50) and Final Certification of Competency EHD 170, Final Student Teaching (page 85) (see Multiple Subject Field Work Handbook). In addition, Student Teachers and Supervisors collaboratively complete a Professional
Development Plan. One formal Teacher Performance Assessment is completed in EHD 178
and two formal Teacher Performance Assessments are completed in final student teaching
before receiving credit in the courses (see Fresno Assessment of Student Teachers Manual).
The Cooperating Teacher and University supervisor work together to strengthen the
primary language skills of the candidate. If a student teacher is having difficulties,
the University supervisor has several options beginning with more frequent observations
and opportunities for feedback. Specific activities are outlined for the student
teacher. The supervisor can extend the student teacher's placement to allow time
for gaining the specified skills. The supervisor, in collaboration with the Bilingual
Coordinator and the Director of Field Services, may change the student teacher's placement
or require that a placement be repeated.
At the end of the student teaching experience the candidate would receive a written
evaluation from the cooperating teacher and the university supervisors. These evaluations
are used to determine eligibility for receiving a credential and become a part of
the candidate's professional file. For more detailed report on the Multiple Subject
Credential, see Multiple Subject Field Work Handbook.
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Standard 7: Field Experience and Clinical Practice
Collaboration with Local School Districts
The faculty of the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program collaborates
with local educators and school districts. Its purpose is to establish an effective
network in the university's five county service region through workshops, in-service
programs, on-site university classes, consultancies, and placement of CSU Fresno graduates
in local school systems. Currently, the program is in the process of establishing
the Central Valley Bilingual/Dual Language Consortium. This consortium will advise
the coordinators and faculty on matters concerning the overall quality of the Fresno
State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program and the relationship of the program
to the region's elementary schools. The consortium will be composed of parents, community
members, teachers, administrators and faculty. In addition, the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong
Bilingual Authorization Program will be actively involved in a Dual Language Conference
on campus in January 2012. The purpose of this conference will be to discuss what
is known about language learning and teaching, to learn additional effective teaching
strategies, and to acknowledge community organizations dedicated towards the education
of bilingual children (See Conference Proposal).
Criteria for Selecting School Sites
Teacher candidates are required to complete three phases of field study. Bilingual
teacher candidates are assigned to complete their final students teaching in a bilingual
setting. Placement of student teachers is a joint effort involving the program coordinators,
the Field Placement Technician, and the principal or other local school administrator.
An on-going system of evaluation with the cooperating teacher and the university supervisor
keeps the student informed of progress, and written evaluations are based on both
formal field observations and informal discussions. We have established a Consortium
of Dual Language Schools that work closely in the development of effective dual language
student placements for our Bilingual teacher candidates.
Criteria for the Selection of Cooperating Teachers
The selection of cooperating teachers for student teacher supervision demands consideration
of multiple factors affecting the student teachers, cooperating teacher, school district
and university supervisor. Cooperating teachers are selected carefully based on experience
in teaching bilingual students, a minimum of three years experience in a culturally
diverse classroom, teaching English learners and their ability to guide and assist
the student teacher. The school administrator’s recommendations will be taken into
consideration. The Central Valley Dual Language Consortium is extremely effective
in identifying and selecting dual language cooperating teachers.
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Standard 8: District-Employed Supervisors
The Departmental Review Committee, the Department Chair, and Dean use specified criteria
in the selection of faculty members for the supervision of the Spanish/Hmong Bilingual
Authorization Program student teachers. Included among these criteria are the possession
of an appropriate teaching credential, teaching experience in a bilingual or multicultural
classroom, effectiveness in working with teachers of English language students in
the public school setting, strong supervisory and communication skills, and knowledge
and sensitivity of cultural diversity (Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment).
The Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program Cooperating Teachers all have extensive
experience in bilingual and dual language programs and all possess the bilingual authorization
(Multiple Subject Credential Program Assessment). The Bilingual/Dual Language Programs and schools that are participants/partners
in our program are as follows:
| Maria Maldonado | Assistant Superintendent, Department of English Learner Services, Fresno Unified School District |
| Lisa Benavidez | Principal, Ann Leavenworth Elementary, Two-Way Immersion Program, Fresno Unified School District |
| Misty Her | South East Elementary School, Fresno Unified School District |
| Robb Christopherson | Reagan Elementary School, Clovis Unified School District |
| Terry Hirschfield | Principal, Laton Elementary School, Laton Unified School District, Two-Way Immersion Program |
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Standard 9: Assessment of Candidate Competency
Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 with no grades below a "C" to remain
in the program and to be recommended for student teaching experience/practicum. For
students receiving the Fresno State Spanish Bilingual Authorization Program Credential,
the student teaching assignment is in a bilingual or dual language program classroom.
For students receiving a Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program Credential, student
teaching assignment is in a multicultural classroom that includes Hmong-speaking children.
Documentation of successful attainment of those skills listed on the Check List Advising
Form as well as completing all other program requirements is necessary for recommendation
by the University for the Preliminary AB 2042 Credential (See Check List Advising Form).
The goals of the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program are built
on our KSOEHD Multiple Subject (2042) Credential Program approved by the Commission
on Teacher Credentialing and are consonant with the mission statements of California
State University, Fresno; the College of Education; and the Department of Teacher
Education. The focus of the program is on the professional preparation of candidates
who will be effective teachers in increasingly diverse public school settings.
Brief Overall Design of the Program
The Bilingual Coordinator, in collaboration with the Liberal Studies Coordinator,
the Multiple Subject Program Coordinator, the Director of Field Placement, faculty
and university supervisors, work jointly to oversee the coursework of bilingual teacher
candidates, as part of the Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program.
This effort includes monitoring and assessing student development and achievement,
including language proficiency during candidate’s enrollment in the Liberal Studies
and 2042 Multiple Subject Credential Program.
As part of the Multiple Subject Credential Program, teacher candidates are assessed
on effectiveness through the Fresno Assessment of Student Teachers (FAST). This performance
assessment is locally designed and approved by the California Commission on Teacher
Credentialing. The assessment design includes four complex pedagogical tasks, each
accompanied by a multi-dimensional scoring scale, to evaluate the thirteen Teacher
Performance Expectations (TPEs). Each FAST task is embedded into a specific field
experience within a sequential credential program. (See FAST Manual) This helps assure that TPE-related knowledge and skills have been taught and formatively
assessed in coursework, and applied with feedback in fieldwork situations prior to
being assessed through FAST (see FAST Manual).
The Fresno State Spanish/Hmong Bilingual Authorization Program coursework is aligned
with the Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CTC) bilingual program standards.
As such, the CTC bilingual program standards are embedded within the various courses
in both the Spanish and Hmong programs (see course syllabi). Under the Liberal Studies
major, students are requires to have a 3.00 overall GPA in their course work with
no grade lower than a “C”. Documentation in meeting the program standards by student
candidates have been embedded within the various five required Spanish and Hmong courses
in terms of assignments, exams, projects, and field experiences (Check List Advising Form)
Upon completing their Liberal Studies Concentration, the bilingual candidates apply
and seek admission to the Multiple Subject Credential Program. Part of the admission
is declaring their interest in a bilingual credential to the KSOEHD admission officer.
Once student has been admitted to the 2042 Multiple Subject Program, the Admission
Officer will provide a copy of that declaration to the Bilingual Coordinator. This
document provides evidence to Bilingual Coordinator that the candidate has met his/her
requirements to enter the Multiple Subject Program, including passing grades in their
Spanish or Hmong concentration. In the Multiple Subject Program, bilingual teacher
candidates will continue completing remaining courses in their bilingual program.
To enter the Multiple Subject Program with a Bilingual Authorization Program, the
candidates must demonstrate appropriate level of language proficiency. As part of
the initial interview to the Multiple Subject Program, the Bilingual Coordinator will
meet with bilingual teacher candidate to review previous coursework and assessment
of language proficiency (administered in either SPAN 134 or LEE 129). This interview
will allow the bilingual candidate to formally meet the Bilingual Coordinator and
seek further guidance on remaining course work as desired by candidate. This initial
interview will also provide time for candidates who may not have obtained a language
score (in either Spanish or Hmong) at the “Intermediate High” or beyond to discuss
strategies on meeting this criterion (see American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL)).
To exit the Multiple Subject Program with a Bilingual Authorization Program, the candidate
will meet with Bilingual Coordinator to review successful completion of require course
work and demonstrated at least an “Intermediate high” level or above in their language
proficiency in their specific language (Spanish or Hmong).