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Q. Who are the Pathways
to Progress (PTP) students?
The PTP students are a cohort of bilingual/bicultural students
who have been selected to take part in a Title III NCLB funded program.
This program is offered at Clackamas Community College through the
Education and Human Services Department. Some students are currently
employed as Instructional Assistants and some are interested in
the field of education. The program welcomes students of both traditional
and non-traditional college age.
Q. Are the students
training to be teachers or paraprofessionals?
The primary goal of the PTP Program is to prepare its students
to meet the new NCLB requirements for paraprofessionals, which in
our case involves completing a 2-year associate degree. Some students
may choose to go on for 4-year college degrees and teacher licensure
upon completion of our program.
Q. What is ASPIRE
training?
ASPIRE is a field-tested curriculum designed by the Center for
Applied Linguistics. According to the ASPIRE website, “The
curriculum is designed to teach paraprofessionals how to help students
develop effective learning strategies, acquire literacy skills,
and learn academic content in order to succeed in school, meet high
standards, and perform well on rigorous state assessments.”
http://www.cal.org/projects/aspire/aspire.htm
Q. What are the responsibilities of
a mentor teacher?
For first year PTP students:
Mentor teachers for first year PTP students will attend a one-day
ASPIRE training. With the knowledge they gain, they will guide their
PTP students in practicing ELL appropriate instructional techniques.
The PTP students will also participate in ASPIRE training throughout
the winter term. PTP students must have an opportunity to work with
ELL students, although it would not be inappropriate for them to
work with groups which also include native English speakers. PTP
students will need to spend 6 hours per week winter and spring terms
in classrooms and will receive college credit for their work. Mentors
will be expected to give ongoing feedback to PTP students and will
participate in their evaluation.
For second year PTP students:
New mentors for second year students may also attend the ASPIRE
training during winter term, if they wish. The students will already
have completed the program and, in their second year practicum,
will continue using the strategies they learned to support ELL students.
PTP students will continue to spend 6 hours per week in the classroom,
fall, winter and spring terms
Q. What are the responsibilities of
the PTP students?
The PTP students are responsible for working out the details of
their practicums with their mentor teachers, e.g. time and place.
Students are expected to treat their classroom placements with a
professional attitude by arriving on time as well as dressing and
behaving appropriately. They will plan their work and check it with
mentor teachers. Please be aware that PTP students are not student
teachers and will not be taking over class instruction.
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