5 questions for … Beverly German
Towson Learning Network brings convenient, affordable continuing education to teachers
TLN's director says collaboration with Baltimore County Public Schools on custom-designed special education course should provide schools immediate and long-term help in meeting “Annual Yearly Progress” under the No Child Left Behind Act.
What is the Towson Learning Network?
The Towson Learning Network (TLN) is a College of Education outreach program serving the specific needs of Maryland’s school systems by providing continuing education and professional development courses and programs for in-service and pre-service educators at all levels.Through the TLN, teachers all across Maryland have earned a master’s in education from TU at affordable rates and in their own communities. We offer courses in school systems and at off-campus centers in all areas of the state except Western Maryland.
How does the TLN collaborate with school systems?
Usually a school system will approach us with an educational need they wish to address. TLN’s staff and TU College of Education faculty respond by conducting regular meetings with key school leaders. Together we develop syllabi consistent with TU’s on-campus programs, although often we focus course activities on a school system’s particular needs.
How does the TLN address educators' needs?
We offer the three “Cs”: content, convenience and cost. First, our off-campus courses provide real life application while maintaining the rigor and standards of TU’s on-campus courses. Second, we bring TU’s courses to the teachers instead of bringing the teachers to TU. Rather than travel to a busy university campus in Baltimore County at the end of a K-12 school day, educators take TLN courses at their own Professional Development Schools (PDS) or at neighboring schools. Third, we work with school systems to provide a reduced tuition commensurate with their system’s negotiated reimbursement rate, which means students pay only a modest closed contract fee—typically $100 to $150 per course. We’re addressing TU’s enrollment growth proactively while helping teachers remain in their communities and practice their profession as they obtain continuing education.
Would you describe a recent collaboration?
This year we offered a new course in special education, Characteristics of Diverse Learners: Differentiated Instruction and Meaningful Application, at five PDS’s in Baltimore County. It’s a direct outgrowth of Baltimore County Public Schools’ strategic plan. We enrolled more than 65 teachers, who participate and brought what they learned back to their own schools. By offering the course to PDS’s every school term going forward, we expect to have both an immediate and long-term impact on helping schools meet Annual Yearly Progress required under the No Child Left Behind act.
Where can we find more information?
Visit our Web page www.towson.edu/coe/tln for details.
