College of Education Professor and Interim Department Chair Cristina Alfaro is spearheading an effort to redesign our Department of Policy Studies in Language and Cross-Cultural Education. The goal is to build the College’s capacity to pursue two goals. Dr. Alfaro explained, “First, we want to make sure that SDSU has one of the nation’s premier preparation programs for educators who teach in dual-language programs.” Throughout San Diego, California, and the rest of the nation, school districts are eager to find individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions that are necessary for work in dual-language academies. SDSU’s dual-language program has a strong reputation, but the goal is to strengthen the program so that we prepare educators who are able to help students learn challenging academic skills, while helping them pursue proficiency in more than one language.
“A second goal,” Dr. Alfaro added, “is to support other faculty members, programs, and departments such that every graduate of our College of Education is well prepared to help English learners succeed.” Through Project Core, Dr. Alfaro is already supporting 25 faculty members in redesigning their courses so that our graduates will be better prepared to ensure that English learners learn Common Core State Standards. The redesign of the Policy Studies Department is intended to broaden and deepen these efforts so that every program offered in our College of Education will prepare individuals who know how to help English learners achieve high levels of success. Dr. Alfaro looks forward to working with faculty throughout the College to conceptualize and implement this new vision for the Department.
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Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education website.
