Willamette ESD Professional Development Center

Willamette ESD Professional Development Services (WESD PDS) is committed to providing high-quality, affordable service in professional development for administrators, educators, business staff, parents and the community.

Professional Development Services works in collaboration with Chemeketa Community College, Portland State University, Salem-Keizer School District, Western Oregon University, and Willamette Curriculum Coalition to provide high-impact, effective, collaborative programs that are informative, fun and educationally sound.

ESOL Training Grant

Professional Development Services collaborated with the University of California at Long Beach, Center for Language Minority Education Research (CLMER) for a five year grant. This grant provides free tuition for on-line classes, practicums through Willamette University Continuing Education and training to pass the praxis assessment needed for certified Oregon teachers to obtain their English as a Second Language (ESOL) licensure. The grant also partners with Chemeketa Community College to provide tuition free classes and college credit to instructional assistants who are seeking to meet the "Highly Qualified" status under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).

On going services are provided to rural districts in helping instructional assistants meet the requirements of the NCLB's "Highly Qualified" guidelines. These services include trainings, transcript interpretation and monthly local assessments.

Spanish Classes

WESD's Professional Development Services Department offers Spanish Classes every term. College credit through Willamette University is optional.

Paraprofessional Assessment & Training

Paraprofessional Assessment and Training is offered once every month at WESD during the school year. The preparation training lasts one hour and covers all parts of the assessment. To meet the NCLB "highly qualified" requirements, the WESD Paraprofessional Assessment will be administered, scored and a certificate will be issue when all sections are passed. For more information, go to Paraprofessional Assessment Opportunities.

WHAT'S NEW

Click here for Upcoming Events! offered through Professional Development Services Department, including Paraprofessional Assessment Testing Information and Spanish Classes.