Crosswalks National Institute

Download: Handouts from Crosswalks National Institute

The Crosswalks National Institute provided the latest information on how to prepare tomorrow’s workforce to work with today’s culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse young children and their families. Leading experts gathered for the conference — entitled Infusing Cultural, Linguistic and Ability Diversity in Preservice Education — on July 25-28, 2007 in Asheville, North Carolina. Participants representing colleges, universities, community colleges and agencies in 32 states participated in the four-day event.

Unlike traditional conference offerings, institute sessions demonstrated innovative strategies, methods, models and materials for increasing diversity in pre-service instruction. Emphasis was simultaneously placed on content (what to teach) and process (how to teach), creating a learning laboratory experience for participants. Presenters, each expert in aspects of cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity, were present for the duration of the institute, to allow time for informal discussions and follow up questions. Finally, an interactive "petting zoo" of instructional resources was available to support participants in discovering materials to support their work.

Generous handouts (activities, examples, bibliographies) and PowerPoint presentations were provided for each session and are available to download.

Attendees gave the institute high marks.

• 80% rated the experience as “excellent;”
• Within a few weeks of the event, 93% had already incorporated resources from the institute into their work;
• 90% reported doing something differently in their teaching as a result of attending the Crosswalks National Institute;
• 96% indicated that they were planning to incorporate new methods, models and/or materials obtained at the institute;
• Based on their participation, 95% said they would encourage colleagues to attend a future Crosswalks National Institute.

Project staff is currently investigating options for offering a second Crosswalks National Institute in 2009. If you are interested in attending and would like to receive updates, please email catlett@mail.fpg.unc.edu with your name and email address.