Inventive Teacher Academy Lilamani de Silva

Case Study

We have students who are taking classes from specially funded programs. Some of the programs are the Welfare to Work, Gain, One stop, Calworks, Pacoima Project and many other career projects. These students are compelled to take classes at a community college and learn a job skill. The goal is for them to be able to find employment.

Some of these students haven't gone to high school and do not have the basic skills required to take a college class. Many of them struggle with speaking and writing English. They are illiterate in their own language.

I am supposed to teach Child Development to these students in English. The textbooks we use are very advanced.

I give two exams, one take home and another in class. When I give the exam in class the students can't do it, as they do not know how to write English.

My concerns are: how can I give a grade and know how much these students have comprehended?

These are some of the supports we have for Child Development students:

• one-on-one tutoring
• a glossary of the language we use in Child Development translated in Spanish
• Spanish videos for any student who would like to review them at the end of class
• small group work and then large group discussions
• facilitate peer support
• let the students know that they can ask for help anytime
• have a personal relationship with my students so that they can approach me

I believe that a school has to meet the individual needs of the students. What else can I do to help these students excel in their education? My goal is to maintain the same standard for all students.