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March 6, 2024

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Save the Date – Supporting English Learners After the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Save the date for the Office of English Language Acquisition’s (OELA’s) webinar on Thursday, April 4, at 3:00 p.m. ET. The webinar will focus on the need for increased support for English learners (ELs) after the COVID-19 pandemic. Registration details coming soon.

Middle-Level Education Month

March is Middle-Level Education Month, dedicated to supporting students' academic and personal growth during early adolescence. Check out the "Raise the Bar" infographic, including tips and resources to support language development and academic growth for multilingual learners (MLs).


Learn More

March 14 is Pi Day


March 14 is International Day of Mathematics, or Pi Day. Interested in practices for facilitating math instruction for ELs? Explore NCELA’s “Integrating Language While Teaching Mathematics” teaching brief and podcast episode.


Listen to the Podcast and Read the Brief

NCELA Resource Library
Visit our database of 20,000+ resources.

Funding Opportunities


Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS): Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA): American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 84.250Q

State Seal of Biliteracy Infographic

The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) is an award given by a State educational agencies (SEAs) to acknowledge high school students who have studied and achieved proficiency in two or more languages by their graduation. South Dakota implemented the SSB in January 2024, making it the final State to do so.


The SSB was first introduced in 2011, and now, after 13 years, it has been implemented in all 50 states and Washington, DC. Explore OELA’s updated SSB infographic to learn more about this recent update.

Download Here

March is Women’s History Month

“This Women’s History Month, may we recognize the long, storied history of great women helping to realize our Nation’s founding promise and highest aspirations. May we all continue working to build a world worthy of the dreams and goals of all women and girls.” 


Read The White House Proclamation on Women's History Month, 2024

Announcements

Supporting Multilingualism for All: Implementing the Seal of Biliteracy: Parts I & II

A podcast series hosted by the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED’s) OELA features Dr. Amy Heineke, Professor of Bilingual Education at Loyola University in Chicago, and Dr. Kristin Davin, Professor of World Language Education at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. 


In Part I of the podcast, the panelists discuss the importance of multilingualism, introduce the 5-P Framework for implementation of the Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL), and concentrate on defining purpose and crafting programs that foster the implementation of the SoBL.



In Part II, practitioners from Illinois, Washington State, and Massachusetts share their insights and experiences of promoting multilingualism and implementing the SoBL in their educational contexts. 

Listen: Part 1
Listen: Part 2

Family Engagement Learning Series Briefs

ED recently released the Family Engagement Learning Series briefs. These briefs summarize a six-part webinar series of conversations designed to Raise the Bar for family engagement practices between school and home.



The learning series, produced in partnership with Carnegie Corporation of New York and Overdeck Family Foundation, provides an overview of evidence, highlights bright spots in the field, and shares resources and evidence-based strategies to support student success with education leaders and practitioners.

View Learning Series Briefs

Request for Feedback on Changes to ERIC Selection Policy

ERIC has released a draft revised selection policy (the document that guides the selection of sources and the types of materials that ERIC catalogs). The goal of the update is to ensure the policy is transparent, reflects current practices, and allows for innovation by publishing in new formats with increased metadata. ERIC is seeking feedback from the community on the proposed changes. Stakeholders can access the draft policy, read a blog explaining the rationale for these changes, and watch a recorded webinar explaining changes.

 

Please submit all questions and comments to ERICRequests@ed.gov by March 11, 2024.

Upcoming Events

March 8

Bilingual Education Research Webinar

Webinar

Join the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Bilingual Education Research (BER) Special Interest Group for the Bilingual Education Research Webinar. The panelists on the proposed webinar will engage in a conversation with other scholars who center equity in their work with students from linguistically diverse backgrounds. One of the key points of this dialogue is to examine how Bilingual Teacher Preparation Programs co-construct spaces with candidates to dismantle current systems that perpetuate hierarchies between the languaging of schooling and the languaging generated in the communities.

March 11

The Intersection of Reading and Writing

Virtual Symposium

On March 11, the AIM Institute is hosting a virtual symposium on “The Intersection of Reading and Writing.” This free event offers a day of literacy learning with researchers presenting on the topic as it applies to all ELs. The event will be available for livestream viewing, and recordings will be accessible to all registered attendees. Plus, earn a Continuing Education Unit certification and find micro-credential opportunities by attending.

March 13

Lessons from the Field Webinar – Welcoming Newcomer Students

Webinar

The Office of Safe and Supportive Schools under ED’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, along with the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments, invites you to join the Welcoming Newcomer Students webinar. Panelists from schools around the country will discuss the tools, strategies, and best practices they use to meet the needs of newcomers and their families to build their community, support their mental health, and help them thrive.

March 21–23

TESOL 2024 International Convention & Expo

Convention

Connect, learn, and recharge at the ultimate event for English language teaching (ELT) professionals. You’ll have the incredible opportunity to meet and connect with ELT colleagues from all over the world. You will also have access to 800+ educational sessions, three captivating keynote addresses, and 60+ exhibiting companies. Lock in advance savings by registering by February 15, 2024.

March 26–27

2024 Hybrid Conference: Leading Change in Multilingual Education

Hybrid Conference

Join the National Association of English Learner Program Administrators (NAELPA) for the 2024 Hybrid Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading Change in Multilingual Education.” In addition to the virtual offerings, the in-person conference will be March 26–27 in New Orleans in conjunction with the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Conference. The NAELPA conference includes keynote presentations from Dr. Jessica Costa and Crystal Gonzales as well as ED and OELA.

March 2830

NABE 2024 Conference

Conference

The NABE Annual Int’l Conference is a 3-day event scheduled to be held in New Orleans from March 28–30. The conference will include educational sessions, inspiring keynote speakers, award competitions, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also register for School Visits on March 26 and the Pre-Conference Day on March 27. Online registration is available through February 29, 2024. For attendee registration and general conference information, you can contact mconf.reg.nabe@gmail.com.

April 1112

Virtual TESOL 2024 International Convention & Exp

Convention

Join the global community of English language professionals for the virtual TESOL 2024 Convention and English Language Expo on April 11–12. You'll gain exclusive access to recordings of the three keynotes from the in-person convention as well as 200+ pre-recorded virtual sessions. Please note that the virtual sessions are different from those that were presented in Tampa at the in-person convention.

May 2931

NJTESOL/NJBE 2024 Spring Conference

Conference

The In-Person Conference is scheduled at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Brunswick from May 29–31. Register for 1, 2, or all 3 days and take advantage of networking opportunities with colleagues. Stay updated on state and national initiatives, and don’t miss the chance to explore the latest teaching tools by visiting the representatives at the sponsor and exhibitor booths.



Presentation topics will include General Interest, Content Area Instruction, Bilingual/ESL Pre-K through 12, Higher Ed, and more. All registrations include 1 free year of NJTESOL/NJBE membership.

June 5–7

Cambio de Colores 22nd Annual Conference

Conference

Mark your calendar for June 5–7 for the Cambio de Colores Annual Conference. This year's theme, “Sparking Change, Integration, and Deep Connections,” renews our call to action and commitment to learning alongside leaders and experts from our changing communities. This professional development opportunity is an excellent chance for bilingual educators, counselors, and school district leaders who aim to create welcoming communities for newcomers to learn from each other.

October 15–18

WIDA Annual Conference

Conference

The WIDA Annual Conference is the premier event for educators of pre-K through Grade 12 MLs, giving educators from around the globe the opportunity to share best practices and discover innovative classroom strategies. The in-person conference will take place October 15–18, 2024, in Pittsburgh, PA. A curated virtual track will also be available.

November 12–16

La Cosecha Dual Language Conference

Conference

Are you, or someone you know, looking for the perfect conference focused on providing instructional and programmatic support to best serve your ELs and emerging bilingual students? La Cosecha 2024 will feature over 280 professional presentations and workshops for supporting two-way and one-way immersion, developmental bilingual, and heritage/tribal language immersion programs and will bring together educators, parents, researchers, and practitioners from across the United States.




In the News

EdSource

Increase in Homelessness Rates Sharpest Among Students of Color and High-Need Students

A recent data analysis from the Public Policy Institute of California confirmed that the number of K–12 students experiencing homelessness during the 202223 school year has again reached pre-pandemic levels. Some school staffers have noted that the increase in student homelessness rates in recent years may look more egregious than during pandemic-era remote learning largely because staff rely on in-person interactions to identify students who might need housing support. Regardless, the data clearly noted that the sharpest increases in homelessness were among Native American, Black, EL, and migrant students.

ctpost

Trumbull Schools Say National Geographic Program a 'Game Changer' for English Learners

The Trumbull School District attributes its increased English language proficiency scores among elementary students in EL classes to the recently adopted National Geographic Look program. The pilot implementation during the 202223 school year resulted in over 41% of the students scoring intermediate, almost 32% scoring proficient, and over 3% scoring above proficient on Language Assessment Scale tests, marking an improvement from previous years. Both students and teachers find the program is user-friendly and aids learning experiences.

The Center for Law and Social Policy

NEW RESOURCES: Fostering Inclusion for Black Immigrant Students at HBCUs

The number of Black immigrant-origin students in higher education is growing, with over 329,000 first-generation Black immigrant students and 416,000 second-generation Black immigrant students accounting for 28% of all Black students in higher education. However, those with undocumented status are experiencing a decline in enrollment. Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) are uniquely positioned to welcome and retain Black immigrants, including undocumented students, by fostering a sense of belonging among student populations traditionally underserved in postsecondary education.

Language Magazine

TIPS FOR EDUCATORS: Framing Authentic Development in Spanish

As the number of MLs continues to rise in the United States, many schools are turning to bilingual education. In response to the growth of bilingual education programs and to advance Federal initiatives for MLs, organizations are focusing on authentic education products and services that embrace linguistic diversity and prepare MLs for college and career success. WIDA recently released the Marco de los Estándares del Desarrollo Auténtico del Lenguaje Español (Marco DALE), a Spanish language development standards framework for teaching and learning Spanish in the United States and with implications for bilingual, heritage, and world language programs, regardless of the language of instruction.

Education Week

TIPS FOR EDUCATORS: An Unorthodox Plan to Pay Students to Write Curriculum Is Raising Achievement

To create greater student engagement and achievement, Kate Maxlow, the director of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Hampton City Schools on Virginia’s eastern coast, began to overhaul the district’s curricula in 2016 to address lagging student achievement in the district, where about half of the roughly 20,000 students are economically disadvantaged. Currently, Hampton City's curricula are designed with significant student input, featuring classrooms full of activities students hate to miss out on, partly because they created them themselves. While including students in the curriculum creation process isn’t typical, Hampton’s work could serve as a model for other districts looking to improve school culture and student outcomes.


Professional Learning

Dual Language Education of New Mexico (DLeNM) Summer Institutes



OCDE Project GLAD® and the AIM4S³™ Math Summer Institute: Unlock the power of teaching and learning at the OCDE Project GLAD® and the AIM4S³™ Math Summer Institute from June 1112, 2024. These sessions will empower you to enhance your grasp of these powerful frameworks; engage in student-centered instructional strategies for key content areas such as math, language arts, social studies, and science; and deepen your understanding of integrating content and language to support ELs and academic language learners in your classroom.

 

Cultivating the Pedagogy of Translanguaging: The Translanguaging Institute will bring together a diverse group of educators who serve emergent bilingual students and families from June 13–14, 2024. The institute will unite educators from across New Mexico and the United States

2024 Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) Summer Institutes for Language Teachers

This summer, CARLA will offer 14 institutes (online and in-person) from June 24 to August 2 on a wide range of topics, including Critical Approaches to Heritage Language Education, Practical Program Evaluation for Heritage Language Programs, Teaching for Proficiency in Dual Language Immersion, Introduction to Dual Language Immersion, and more!

Quick Guide for Teachers: Selecting and Using Culturally Appropriate Children's Books in Languages Other Than English

For educators serving young multilingual learners, reading books in a child’s home language can advance key language and literacy skills. This quick guide supports early childhood educators in selecting, evaluating, and using books in the home languages of young multilingual learners.

The Benefits of Being Bilingual – A Review for Teachers and Other Early Education Program Providers

Being bilingual is a superpower! Knowing more than one language has both short- and long-term benefits, which can start in early childhood. This infographic for early childhood educators shares research on the advantages of young children being bilingual and biliterate and includes supplemental resources on language development and early learning.

Universidad de Alcalá Teach & Learn in Spain Graduate Program

Teach & Learn in Spain is a graduate program designed for native or near-native English speakers. Through the program, students earn a Master’s Degree while gaining experience in a school in the Madrid region as a language assistant. The application period will be open from January 10, 2024, to March 20, 2024. The program begins on September 1, 2024, and concludes on July 1, 2025. For further inquiries, please contact Angela Sauciuc, Director of Programs and Teacher Training, at angela.sauciuc@institutofranklin.

Job Opportunities

ESL/Diversity Consultant

Heartland Area Education Agency (AEA)

Iowa (Primary Location: TBD)

Assistant Director of English Language Programs and Community Education

Framingham State University

Framingham, MA

Connect With NCELA

Office of Civil Rights English Learner Resources

The Office of Civil Rights at ED has consolidated its EL resources, making them all accessible on a new page. This updated site hosts a variety of valuable resources, including Dear Colleague Letters, Fact Sheets, Case Resolutions, and more. Explore the information provided to help support ELs in your community.

View Resources

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National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)

Disclaimer: NCELA Nexus is intended to share information that can be of use to educators, parents, learners, leaders, and other stakeholders in their efforts to ensure that all students, including English learners, are provided with the highest quality education and expanded opportunities to succeed. The information and materials presented in NCELA Nexus do not necessarily constitute or imply endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by NCELA, the Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA), or the U.S. Department of Education.