Project Momentum tells Rochester board its licensure cohort helped 19 teachers obtain ESL recommendations
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Summary
Project Momentum presented a state‑approved, largely asynchronous ESL licensure pathway and related professional development; district participants reported improved teacher confidence and practical classroom benefits, though presenters said student‑level outcome data are limited for confidentiality and scale reasons.
Project Momentum, a regional initiative housed at the Southeast Service Cooperative, presented to the Rochester Public Schools board on Feb. 17 its licensure pathway and professional development offerings aimed at strengthening instruction for multilingual learners.
Natalia Benjamin, director of multilingual learning, and Project Momentum staff described a state‑approved K–12 ESL licensure program offered asynchronously; the program includes online CEU courses, a growing library of evidence‑based classroom resources and a family engagement manual translated into multiple languages. Project Momentum said its funding mixes local district support with federal Department of Education grants and partnerships with state education departments in multiple states.
Project Momentum reported local cohort outcomes: after a year‑long program, 19 Rochester educators received the K–12 ESL license recommendation; participating educators completed roughly 1,500 hours of practicum in district classrooms, and participants described large self‑reported gains in classroom confidence and skill (presenters cited an average 8.7‑point gain in teacher dispositions and increases in lesson‑design confidence). Two RPS teachers who completed the pathway — Cassidy Harmon (an early childhood special education teacher) and another elementary teacher — described practical benefits for special education evaluations, lesson planning and cross‑building connections.
Board members pressed Project Momentum on student outcomes and sustainability. Director Cook asked whether the program has data showing direct impact on students; Project Momentum said granular student outcome data are limited by confidentiality and measurement complexity, and that program evaluation plans are being developed to provide more evidence in future years. Director Whitehorn and others asked about long‑term funding; Project Momentum said it is developing a sustainability model and noted a per‑teacher cost estimate of about $5,000 when compared to traditional university tuition.
Superintendent DeKalb and board members expressed support for expanding licensure pathways and aligning them with the district's strategic plan. Project Momentum representatives said they will work with RPS on program evaluation design to better measure student impact as cohorts scale.
Next steps: Project Momentum and RPS staff will continue to design program evaluation metrics and explore sustainability options for future cohorts.