Keysha Whitaker, lecturer in English and Professional Writing at Penn State Berks, has recently received certification as a Developmental Education Specialist from the Kellogg Institute for the Training and Certification of Developmental Educators. Whitaker was one of 25 educators selected from across the United States to participate in the Kellogg Institute and its certification process during the 2014 academic year.
The Kellogg Institute, now in its 36th year, offers a unique month-long living/learning experience for the training and certification of educational professionals who work with academically underprepared students on college campuses. Each year, Kellogg Participants take part in a summer training program, followed by a semester?s practicum in which participants implement new techniques on their home campuses.
Whitaker was awarded certification as a result of her participation in the training program and completion of a data exploration project, which began at Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey. Whitaker collected and analyzed over 3,000 scores of students who took a holistically-graded essay test as an exit criteria for remedial English courses.
The certification as Developmental Education Specialist is awarded through the Kellogg Institute, in conjunction with Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina.
