Courses >> Equity and Assurance Training Opportunities

Workshops

The Office of Equity and Assurance has trained representatives from most of the schools in BCPS. These representatives or ETM Liaisons have been prepared to offer onsite workshops in their schools on Education That Is Multicultural and topics related to minority achievement, such as the ETM Regulation, learning styles, facilitating dialog, and diversity, etc. The liaisons are also certified to teach the entire ETM course, both online and onsite. During the school year, workshop models on various topics will be provided to liaisons for potential use in schools.

For further information, contact Dr. Barbara Dezmon at 410-887-2446 or email bdezmon@bcps.org

Courses

The Office of Equity and Assurance sponsors both online as well as onsite courses. Both graduate and in-service credits are available. Participants can access the courses from home or on their school computers. Online instruction introduces new learning possibilities. It is more than text on screen; it is an interactive, engaging, and flexible experience featuring both group and one-on-one interaction with instructors. Many Baltimore County Public Schools teachers have taken advantage of this opportunity.

Onsite Courses

These courses are offered at school settings at various locations in the county. Onsite courses are offered during fall, spring, and summer.

Providing an Education That Is Multicultural - (3 credits, 14 sessions)

This course instructs participants in various aspects of the Maryland State Education That Is Multicultural Regulation. It covers such topics as diversity, culture, education and poverty. The course is also available online as of Winter 2003.

Generating Expectations for Student Achievement - (GESA) (2-3 credits, 8 sessions)

This nationally acclaimed course focuses on interactions between students and teachers that enhance learning. The course explores the role of race, gender, and teacher expectations in student achievement.

Online Courses

For the online courses, everything from registration to assignments to grading is done through the computer. CaseNex provides multimedia cases for the professional development of teachers and school administrators. Online instructors bring diverse professionals together to analyze educational problems, develop visions for leadership, and create action plans for student and school success. Grading is based on group and individual analysis of cases. Online courses are usually completed in 8 weeks for 3 credits, with the exception of the 4 week summer session. The courses are offered during fall, winter, spring, and summer. For information regarding online courses, contact Ms. Jeanne North at 410-887-6400.

BCPS-CaseNEX online multicultural offerings include:

Multiculturalism and Diversity Courses

Education That Is Multicultural (3 credits)
Along with the increased standardization and multiple layers of accountability spelled out in local and national educational policy (such as No Child Left Behind), today comes the need and responsibility for a more complex understanding of multiculturalism and its relevance to education. As our schools become more diverse, we must rededicate to ensuring that every student who walks into our classrooms has an opportunity to achieve to her or his fullest, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, first language, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or any other identity around which academic achievement gaps presently revolve. The purpose of this course is to engage a group of educators in a collaborative exploration of multiculturalism in education. In the context of this class, "multiculturalism" does not mean simply learning about other cultures, but working to ensure equity and social justice in our classrooms and schools.

Multicultural Education, Equity, and Social Justice (3 credits)
Along with the increased standardization and multiple layers of accountability spelled out in local and national educational policy (such as No Child Left Behind) today comes the need and responsibility for a more complex understanding of multiculturalism and its relevance to education. As our schools become more diverse we must rededicate to ensuring that every student who walks into our classrooms has an opportunity to achieve to her or his fullest, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, first language, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, or any other identity around which academic achievement gaps presently revolve. The purpose of this course is to engage a group of educators in a collaborative exploration of multiculturalism in education. In the context of this class, "multiculturalism" does not mean simply learning about other cultures, but working to ensure equity and social justice in our classrooms and schools.

ESOL and Multicultural Education Issues (3 credits)
This course provides an in depth discussion of the concept of culture and helps students/teachers/school personnel recognize the influence of culture on learning, communication, belief systems and value orientations, and patterns of thinking and behaving. Instructional applications including creating an appropriate learning environment and / or curriculum and materials for culturally diverse students will be given. This course addresses Goal Two of the Blueprint for Progress.
Meets State ESOL requirement under Cross Cultural Studies