Supporters & Acknowledgements

The New York State Department of Education

The Bridges sheltered curricula and New York State teacher support programs that Bridges currently offers are funded by NYSED. Within NYSED we work closely with the Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages (OBEWL), for whom SIFE are a priority.

Website: www.nysed.gov

The New York City Department of Education (Division of Multilingual Learners)

The Division of Multilingual Learners serves the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) — students with a native language other than English and with low proficiency scores on English assessments in school-entrance level exams. The Division provides ELLs, former ELLs, immigrants, and their families with equity and access to an excellent education. It provides professional development to teachers, staff, and leaders; promotes parental involvement; improves material resources; and aims at creating targeted solutions for different ELL populations. It helps creates an environment conducive to learning, which helps ELLs move towards academic achievement, develop language, and build cross-cultural support.

In New York City, the Division provides bilingual programs (Transitional Bilingual Education and Dual Language), aimed at strengthening students’ native language development and content knowledge, while building their social and academic English skills. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are also offered, wherein English language development is supported with native language use, to help students develop language and content knowledge in English.

Website: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/multilingual-learners/english-language-learners

New York Community Trust

The New York Community Trust, founded in 1924, is one of the oldest and largest community foundations in the United States. It is also a pioneer in the field of donor advised funds. The Trust works with donors who want to set up charitable funds, and makes grants available for a range of charitable activity, which is vital to the well-being of New York City. In 2010 the Trust had assets of $1.9 billion in nearly 2,000 charitable funds, and made grants totaling $141 million. Some current programs areas for their discretionary grants program include: Children, Youth & Families; Community Development & the Environment; Education, Arts, & the Humanities; and Health & People with Special Needs.

The Education Program’s aim is to ready New York City’s public school students for success in college and the workforce, and to prepare them to participate in public life as “creative and responsible citizens.” NYCT funds projects that improve the relationship between the school system and those in “immigrant communities,” as well as projects that are innovative and offer “academic supports” for students in our middle and secondary schools.

Website: http://www.nycommunitytrust.org/Default.aspx

Research Institute for the Study of Language in Urban Society (RISLUS)

The Research Institute for the Study of Language in Urban Society (RISLUS) conducts research on language, literacy, and bilingualism and their development and acquisition in an urban society. Its research focuses on examining questions that are at the nexus between language and the New York City urban environment.

Specifically, the Institute conducts basic and applied research on structural questions, and on social and educational issues associated with the language of urban dwellers. It also studies the language and language-learning profile of students at the elementary, secondary and college levels, especially at CUNY and the NYC public schools – the focus is on their acquisition of academic literacy skills in English. For students who are non-native speakers of English (or emergent bilinguals) at CUNY and NYC public schools, focus is on the study of acquisition of academic literacy skills in their native language.
Additionally, RISLUS is also interested in studying “ways to make language instruction, at the NYC public schools and at CUNY, a model for public schools and universities throughout the country.”

Website: http://www.gc.cuny.edu/rislus

The Center for Advanced Study in Education (CASE)

CASE conducts basic and applied research concerned with improving and upgrading the quality of education in urban areas. CASE serves as a forum for consideration of policy issues, as a center for interdisciplinary approaches to educational problems, and as a clearinghouse in areas of educational research. Funding for CASE projects originates with private industry, foundations, and city, state and federal agencies. While some of CASE’s work is national in scope, much of it is focused on New York City and New York State.

Website: www.gc.cuny.edu/case