ALRC SUGGESTED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD) and
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) FOR YOUR
NAI CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION PROGRAM SELF-ASSESSMENT RESULTS
(Updated October 24, 2013)
In response to your self-identified citizenship program needs, the ALRC has provided a number of professional development and technical assistance suggestions below. Please review the suggestions and contact us to discuss these ideas along with any questions you have. We hope these suggestions are the beginning of a robust PD system for your program.
 )
ALRC Staff: Carol Garcia.
224-366-8628
Catherine Porter.
224-366-8635
Sue Barauski.
224-366-8620
Agency Name:
Citizenship Education Program Director:
Person completing chart:
Phone:
Email:
GENERAL ISSUES IN EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Suggested PD
Article: Managing Programs for Adults Learning English www.cal.org/adultesl/resources/digests/managing-programs-for-adults-learning-english.php
(  ) Publication : Creating a Citizenship Preparation Program https://cliniclegal.org/resources/comprehensive-citizenship-preparation-program-toolkit
(  ) Networking Group : ALRC Citizenship Interest Group. Contact Carol Garcia, cgarcia@cntrmail.org
or information at http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/citizenship.html#interest
Web site resources : http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/citizenship.html
http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/admin.html
(  ) USCIS: Expanding ESL, Civics and Citizenship Education in your Community http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.2f0cb9a8ddc86a6d856fed10526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=148f80a4b67e
8310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=fc2180a4b67e8310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013 Page 1

ASSESSMENT
1. My program uses: a. a screener/test to assess and place learners in appropriate classes. Name of screener: b. My program uses a standardized test to place
learners and assess their progress. Name of test: c. My program uses its own tests to place learners
and assess their progress.
Want to
Improve
No Want to Do
Suggested PD
ALRC Chart : ESL Assessment Options http://thecenterweb.org/alrc/pdfs/ESLAssess mentOptions.doc
(  ) Article : Managing Programs for
Adults Learning English www.cal.org/adultesl/resources/digests/mana ging-programs-for-adults-learningenglish.php
ALRC Workshops:
--Best Literacy Administration
--BEST Plus Training
Contact Catherine Porter for workshop information and schedule, cporter@cntrmail.org
2. Only trained staff administer the screener and/or assessment(s).
CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION
Want to improve
1.Curriculum a. My program has a curriculum and/or course outlines for its citizenship program. b. Staff are trained to use the curriculum and/ or course outlines.
No Want to Do
Suggested PD
2. My program uses core textbook(s) for instruction.
If so, name of textbook(s):
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013
Publication : Creating a Citizenship
Preparation Program https://cliniclegal.org/resources/comprehensi ve-citizenship-preparation-program-toolkit
Article : Philosophies and Approaches in
Adult ESL Literacy Instruction http://www.cal.org/adultesl/resources/digests
/philosophies-and-approaches-in-adult-eslliteracy-instruction.php
Web Resource :
(  )
Professional Development, and Curriculum
Resources http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuit em.2f0cb9a8ddc86a6d856fed10526e0aa0/?v
gnextoid=12e2f359827dd310VgnVCM1000
00082ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=7496f2e a8381d310VgnVCM100000082ca60aRCRD
(  )
Resource List, Section D- Items 43-50 http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/citizenship
/citizenship-educator-orientation-packet.pdf
Publication: Illinois ESL Content Standards document. Pages 28-89. http://www.iccb.org/pdf/adulted/publications
Page 2

3. My program has enough appropriate, leveled materials for all students.
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013
_reports/content%20standards_final%20versi on.pdf
Web Resources:
(  )
1) Tutorial: “Adapting Materials”
2) Tutorial: “Master Teacher”, Section on
“Materials”. http://elcivicsonline.org/ ( register find these tutorials on your “My Home Page” )
4. Technology
Computers a. Computers are available to teachers for instructional use. b. Computers are available for student use.
If yes:
(1) In the classroom. # of computers:
(2) In a lab. # of computers: c. Students use the computers during class instruction.
Other Technology: a. Other technology is available for classroom use (e.g., Smart
Boards, LCD projectors, DVD players).
If so, describe: b. Teachers use other technology
tools.
5. Learners have opportunities to express opinions about the class .
Want to
Improve
No Want to Do Suggested PD
ALRC Workshops : For example, Using the Internet in the ESL Classroom. See Workshop Catalog at http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/index.html
Article : Uses of Technology in Adult ESL Education http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/collections/facts heets.html#tech
Web Resources :
(  ) ALRC web site page “Technology”. Includes
“Tech Notes” publications, and other technology use information http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/tech.html
lt
Educators (especially Teaching Tools and Resources section ) http://www.otan.us/
Note: Though not specific to adult citizenship students, these resources contain practical tips and tools.
Article : Best Practice Strategies for Soliciting
Information from High School Students
On Their Classroom Learning Experiences https://childandfamilypolicy.duke.edu/pdfs/schoolresear ch/2012_PolicyBriefs/Schulhof_Policy_Brief.pdf
Web Resource.
The following has a link to a good student evaluation tool for adult ESL: http://adultedmatters.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/student
-evaluation-of-esl-class/
Page 3

STAFF DEVELOPMENT
1. Instructors are informed about professional development.
2. Instructors participate annually in professional development for: a. Citizenship b. ESL c. ELCivics
Average number of professional development hours per year participated in by: a. Instructors. #: b. Volunteers. #:
Want to
Improve
No Want to Do
Suggested PD
(  ) ALRC Workshops:
See the current workshop catalog at: http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/workshops.ht
ml
Professional Organizations, such as:
--IL Teachers to Speakers of Other
Languages/Bilingual Education (ITBE). http://www.itbe.org/
--TESOL International Association. http://tesol.org/
--
Publication : ALRC Tech Tips: Online
Professional Development. http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/pdfs/techtips-
12dec.pdf
Web Resources:
(  ) DVD and Online: New American
Horizons, Teaching ESL to Adults: Classroom
Approaches in Action. 8 videos. http://www.newamericanhorizons.org/trainingvideos/titles-in-the-series
CIS Training and Professional
Development http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.749c
abd81f5ffc8fba713d10526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=94d3df6 bdd42a210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnext channel=94d3df6bdd42a210VgnVCM100000b92ca6
0aRCRD
(  )(  ) Elcivicsonline courses. http://www.elcivicsonline.org/ .
Specifically The Naturalization Process course along with the 8 Naturalization content modules
(Teaching the Process; Listening; Speaking;
Reading; Writing; Multilevel Classes; Older
Applicants; and Refugees)
(  ) Online Citizenship Tutorials on
) Understanding the Reading and Writing Tests;
2) Teaching the Reading and Writing Tests; 3)
Becoming a Citizenship Educator; and
4) Helping Citizenship Students Study Outside the Classroom. http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/citizenshiptutorial.html
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013 Page 4

3. New instructors receive training from: a. the ALRC Citizenship Basics workshops b. in-house training. Describe: c. Other. Describe:
Want to
Improve
4. Instructors are trained to use appropriate instructional methods within a citizenship context.
5. Instructors have opportunities to observe other citizenship classes.
6. Instructors have opportunities to share ideas and materials with other instructors.
No Want to Do
Suggested PD
(  )(  ) ALRC Workshops : Especially
Citizenship Basics http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/workshops.htm
l
(  )(  ) Publication . ALRC Citizenship
Educator Orientation Packet http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/citizenship/citi zenship-educator-orientation-packet.pdf
Book : Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource
Book; New Readers Press. $23 https://www.newreaderspress.com/Items.aspx?hie
rId=4061
(  ) ALRC workshop : Teaching the
Multilevel ESL Class. See Workshop Catalog http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/index.html
Article : Teaching Multilevel ESL classes http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/S
HANK.html
Article : Observing and Providing Feedback to
Teachers of Adults Learning English http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/resources/obser ving.html
Article : Supporting and Supervising Teachers
Working with Adults Learning English http://www.cal.org/caelanetwork/resources/suppo rting.html
Article : Professional Growth: A Mentoring
Program for Adult ESL Teacher
TESOL Journal ISSN 1949-3533
Volume 7, Issue 1, 1997 http://www.editlib.org/p/83812
(  ) DVD and Online : New American
Horizons, Teaching ESL to Adults: Classroom
Approaches in Action. 8 videos. http://www.newamericanhorizons.org/trainingvideos
Individualized Technical Assistance (TA) and Support : Contact the ALRC for TA in setting up an observation system in your program.
Web Resources : Elcivicsonline Master Teacher tutorial section, Helping Teachers http://www.elcivicsonline.org/ ( register and find the Master Teacher module on your “My Home
Page”)
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013 Page 5

STAFFING b. c.
1. My program has criteria for hiring instructors.
If yes, list 3 key hiring elements you look for: a.
Want to
Improve
No Want to Do
Suggested PD
(  ) Article.
USCIS: Citizenship and Integration
Grant Programs Promising Practices http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.749cabd81f5
ffc8fba713d10526e0aa0/?vgnextoid=2905df6bdd42a210Vgn
VCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextchannel=2905df6bdd42 a210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
Article . TESOL. Standards for ESL/EFL Teachers of Adults Framework http://www.tesol.org/docs/books/standards-for-esl-eflteachers-of-adults-framework.pdf?sfvrsn=0
2. My program uses volunteers.
If yes, how many?
Check all the ways you use volunteers:
 teaching classes
 teaching small groups
 teaching one-on-one

Interview practice

Assisting in the classroom

Testing

Other. Specify:
Article : Using Volunteers as Aides in the ESL
Classroom http://www.cal.org/caela/esl_resources/digests/voluntee r.html
Online Training . IL State Library. Adult Literacy
Volunteer Tutor Training http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/ literacy/oltt/home.html
Anticipated Citizenship Classes to be Offered by our Program in FY14 (July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014)
Yes No Article 1 . Our classes will have: a. Open entry (students can join the class at any time ) b. Fixed entry (students can only join the class at the beginning )
Disadvantages of Open, Fixed, and Managed Enrollment According to
Research. http://www.iccb.org/pdf/adulted/publications_reports/aefl_enrollment_study_2008.pdf
Classes by students’ ESL level
Beginning
Intermediate
Advanced
Multilevel
# of classes to be offered this year by level
Anticipated % of students by level
%
%
%
---NA---
(First 3 rows equal 100%)
# of class days per week
Total hours per week
# of weeks per class
Adult Learning Resource Center, August 2013 Page 6