Champion of IDEAS From Ballard & Tighe Adopted by San Diego Unified School District...

Wed Apr 23, 2008 10:45am EDT

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Champion of IDEAS From Ballard & Tighe Adopted by San Diego Unified School District for High School English Language Development

SAN DIEGO--(Business Wire)--
Ballard & Tighe, Publishers (www.ballard-tighe.com) announced
today that San Diego Unified School District has adopted Champion of
IDEAS for the district high school ESL (English as a Second Language)
courses. Champion of IDEAS is an English Language Development (ELD)
program that is comprehensive, systematic, and standards-based.

San Diego USD wanted a program that would accelerate students'
English language development and present lessons in a progressive
manner. Champion is structured systematically and it focuses on
grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary.

"Champion is based on the latest linguistic research and methods
that help students reach a high level of English proficiency as
quickly as possible," said Mark Espinola, CEO of Ballard & Tighe.
"With Champion, San Diego USD will find their students learning
English faster than before and with better understanding of
grammatical forms and functions."

Because a student's language level is more important than his/her
grade level in developing English language competency, Champion of
IDEAS is organized by language proficiency level. Champion also
focuses on developing vocabulary and grammar through direct grammar
instruction with many opportunities for meaningful and authentic
communication. This ensures that students learn English not only to
communicate socially but also to achieve academic success.

The complete Champion program includes all the support materials,
resources, and assessments needed to inspire success while showing
progress toward specific, attainable goals. The program includes a
combination of non-consumable student textbooks (Champion Reader),
workbooks (Champion Writer), assessments (Champion Tester), literature
books, and audio materials as well as a comprehensive teacher's guide
with CD-ROM resources that lays out an instructional plan based on
proficiency level.

Inservice training for San Diego teachers will begin this summer.

About Ballard & Tighe

Ballard & Tighe, Publishers (www.ballard-tighe.com) has focused on
developing products for English language learners since 1976. Ballard
& Tighe provides testing, instructional, and training products and
services to more than 3,500 state, regional, and local school
districts throughout the United States and internationally. Ballard &
Tighe produces assessment products, English language development
instructional materials, professional development programs, and a
series of unique social studies programs designed especially for
English language learners.

Ballard & Tighe
Traci Barnett, 800-321-4332 ext. 301
tbarnett@ballard-tighe.com
or
For Ballard & Tighe
Jennifer Harrison, 916-716-0636
jennifer@jharrisonpr.com