Posted on October 10, 2002 at 12:18 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a five-year, $1.3 million grant to the UAB School of Education and the Graduate School. Monies from the grant will fund a new program that will make learning easier for Shelby County students who speak little or no English.

Through the grant, UAB, in collaboration with Shelby County Schools, will create a program called Project EQUAL. The project will train nearly 170 county teachers, teachers’ aides, counselors and administrators so that they can instruct and assist the students at their schools who are learning English. The project is designed to ensure that all children have equal access to an education.

“The grant project is necessary so that second language students can meet high standards of achievement and be successful learners,” said Julia Austin, Ph.D., director of Educational Services in the UAB Graduate School. “The second language population is growing extremely fast in Shelby County. Their schools are under growing pressure to find sound solutions to address the educational needs of these students.”

Initially, Project EQUAL will be targeted for Oak Mountain High School, Oak Mountain Middle School, Oak Mountain Intermediate School, Pelham High School, Riverchase Middle School and Valley Intermediate School. The six schools have a total of 203 students who speak little or no English, the largest concentration of English language learners in the school system. Nearly 680 English language learners are enrolled countywide, although the numbers change frequently, says Janet Smith, the ESL program area specialist for Shelby County Schools.

“Project EQUAL is a tremendous opportunity for Shelby County Schools,” said Smith, “and it will have a lasting impact. Our classroom teachers will be trained so that they can provide equal opportunities for all learners. It’s very exciting for us.”

Through Project EQUAL, 120 Shelby County teachers and 12 teachers’ aides will enroll in the UAB School of Education for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to qualify for state ESL certification. The teachers will be taught methods that can help students learn English quickly and effectively through subjects like math, reading, science and social studies. The teachers will then use their training to assist the other teachers at their schools and at other schools throughout the county in meeting the language and learning needs of students.

The grant also will fund workshops and seminars for 35 school counselors and principals so they can assist in their school’s efforts to meet federal and state guidelines for teaching students. Moreover, school principals and teachers will receive additional training to help them develop better relations with the students’ parents.

The grant also will fund ESL workshops and seminars for 25 faculty members in the UAB School of Education. Consequently, the faculty will incorporate ESL into two courses offered by the School.

The UAB School of Education and the Graduate School are already collaborating on two other ESL training programs for teachers and school personnel. New Teachers for New Students is a program aimed at training teachers around the state to work with ESL children. A second program, Project ACCESS, offers workshops that teach bus drivers, school counselors, lunchroom workers and other non-classroom personnel about the customs and cultures of ESL students.

Contact:

Julia Austin, Ph.D., director of Educational Services in the UAB Graduate School, (205) 975-6539

Janet Smith, the ESL Shelby County Schools, program area specialist, (205) 682-5499