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English Award Announcement
National Two-Year College English Association
of the the National Council of Teachers of English

The National Two-Year College English Association of the the National Council of Teachers of English recognized the English courses in the Next Step program with a national award. The selection criteria was based on:
  • promoting Technology-Based Instruction,
  • composition/Writing online,
  • literature online,
  • promoting access,
  • developing faculty expertise,
  • online certificates and degrees.
Steve Leone, the Program Coordinator at Westchester Community College and English Curriculum Leader for the Next Step English courses, nominated the Next Step English courses on behalf of Verizon, the IBEW, the CWA, and the 25 consortium colleges in New York and New England. Some of the many exemplary practices sited in the nomination were described in Steve's proposal:
Using the laptop computer and Lotus Notes connection provided by the company, the English curriculum teaches not only the standard English 1 topics but also stresses writing across the curriculum, collaborative writing, public speaking, PowerPoint presentations, and hypertexting, as well as communicating with others within the program. All these topics are reinforced in English 2 with the addition of the literary component designed to discuss the literature of an information age and its consequences. We are proud to announce that Steve's nomination resulted in an award for Exemplary Programs in English for the Next Step Program! Special credit goes to Steve for all of his efforts in nominating the Next Step Program, and to all the English faculty who have been so dedicated to insuring the courses are exemplary. In addition, everyone involved in the Next Step Program should take pride in and credit for this award. The exemplary practices that Steve described were developed and continue to be followed by all of you. Congratulations!