University Offers "English Vertical Teams" Conference

Texas A&M International University's Office of Continuing Education is registering for a two-day "English Vertical Teams Conference" to be held on Friday March 20 from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday, March 21 from 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the University's main campus, 5201 University Boulevard.

The conference is designed for school administrators and middle and high school teachers of Advanced Placement (AP) and pre-AP English, English literature, and English language.

Tuition is $150 per participant. Interested persons may register for the conference by visiting the University's Office of Continuing Education located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 332 West. Registration deadline is March 13. Registrations received after the deadline will be accepted only on a space available basis and will be subject to a $20 late fee.

The conference will provide direction, models, and training to help members of English Vertical Teams organize productive activities, meetings, and workshops that lead to a comprehensive, coordinated English program. A review of the College Board Vertical Teams Text will be offered. The Text demonstrates strategies that are useful in working with AP objectives at various grade levels.

At the conference's conclusion, each participant will have goals and objectives for the vertical team, original multiple choice questions for English, original essay prompts for English, and course contracts for students and parents.

The concept of vertical teams incorporates the idea that Advanced Placement courses should not be isolated, but instead should be part of a planned program of teaching skills and concepts that continues and builds from one grade level to the next. The vertical teams concept also incorporates the idea that a planned program is best achieved by the vertical cooperation of teachers working together to coordinate their efforts.

For more information on the English Vertical Teams Conference at A&M International March 20 - 21, please call the Office of Continuing Education at 326-2700, or visit offices in the Killam Library-Administration Building room 332 West. Office hours are from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

Information may also be secured by email at ojmunoz@tamiu.edu.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu