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From the Executive Director

Dear Partners,

We’re excited to kick off the 24-25 school year - a particularly special one for SEAL as we celebrate our 5-year anniversary as an independent nonprofit! Since our beginnings with Dr. Laurie Olsen and Sobrato Philanthropies starting in 2008, we’ve grown through collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to advancing equitable, multilingual learning environments. In July 2019 we launched as an independent organization and 15 of us are still here. A special thank you to those 15 team members who’ve been with SEAL since we became a nonprofit—your dedication has been invaluable.

This fall, we’re continuing to deepen our partnerships across California expanding our Full Model and Design for Change offerings to more regions and districts. Recently, our work with Delhi Unified School District was featured on Telemundo 33 and Univision 21. These news segments beautifully captured how our collaboration is transforming education and supporting multilingual students in thriving. This month, we’ve welcomed our second cohort of LAUSD 4th and 5th grade educators, 65 in all, who are part of the federally funded PEARLL project. Additionally, we’re launching our second Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program (BTPDP) grant, this time in partnership with Azusa Unified School District helping to build the bilingual teacher pipeline across the state over the next five years. Our contributions to EPiCC,a project funded by the second round of the state’s Educator Workforce Investment Grants, continue to advance the EL Roadmap across California.

As we close out the legislative year, we’re proud to be part of key conversations around policies that support multilingual learners. We’ve seen progress, AND there’s still much work ahead and we look forward to advocating for the changes needed to ensure success for every student. 

This school year will be one of both celebration and action. We’ll be sharing stories, reflections, and highlights of the collective impact we’ve made together over our first 5 years as an independent nonprofit. Stay connected with us through our social platforms, website, and e-newsletters as we continue our journey to make a meaningful difference in the lives of multilingual students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

In partnership,

Anya Hurwitz

Advocacy, Policy and Research

Ask Governor Newsom to Sign Critical Legislation to Support English Learners

There is still time. We need 1-3 minutes of your time to push critical legislation past the finish line and ensure that our education system better serves English learners and dual language learners (DLLs). Two bills that we supported this legislative session are one signature away from becoming law! By taking just a few simple steps, you can send a message to Governor Newsom that you support these bills too: AB 1947 (Luz Rivas) – Dual Language Learner Professional Development in California State Preschool Programs (CSPPs) and AB 2074 (Muratsuchi) – EL Roadmap: Guiding Practice Statewide. CLICK HERE for steps to take action.

SEAL and DUSD Back To School News Highlight

We’re thrilled to share two recent news segments highlighting SEAL’s impactful partnership with Delhi Unified School District (DUSD) and the benefits of multilingualism. Featured on Telemundo 33 and Univision 21, these news segments showcase how our collaboration is transforming students’ lives by fostering bilingualism, biliteracy, and an inclusive school community. This year, DUSD expanded SEAL’s Full Model to more schools and classrooms, empowering educators and supporting student success through comprehensive professional development. As highlighted in the segments, our work is also strengthening cultural pride and encouraging parent engagement. Delhi Unified parent, Rosa Nuno, shares how SEAL’s approach has helped her youngest daughter thrive both socially and academically, while making her feel more connected to her child’s education. We invite you to view the segments and experience the impact for yourself!

English Learner Roadmap

A recent EdSource article reported on the current state of the EL Roadmap. SEAL's Executive Director Anya Hurwitz along with Los Angeles County Office of Education Superintendent of Schools, Californians Together, Sacramento County Office of Education, Woodland Joint Unified School District, UC San Diego and San Mateo-Foster City School District shared their perspectives on the urgent need for action and what it means for the future of education in California. After seven years, California’s English Learner Roadmap remains a visionary guide for schools to support English learners. It emphasizes bilingualism, recognizing the unique assets of students who speak other languages while fostering high levels of English proficiency. Yet, many districts have yet to embrace it—or even know it exists. Now, Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance) and David Alvarez (D-Chula Vista) are championing #AB2074 to establish a state implementation plan, ensuring that the EL Roadmap’s goals are realized across all districts. Read the full article for all the details.

ELA/ELD Framework and Renewed Calls to Fully Fund and Implement Guidance

In 2014, California set a new standard in education by adopting a groundbreaking approach to improve literacy for all students, particularly English learners. Yet, with little funding to implement, it is not being fully realized across the state. This commentary by Californians Together highlights California’s evidence-based English Language Arts/English Language Development (ELA/ELD) Framework, which was the first in the nation to integrate two sets of standards. It also spotlights SEAL's partner, Azusa Unified School District, for their transformative success in advancing professional development and instruction aligned with the framework's key tenets. With growing concerns about reading scores, why not turn to the very solutions California has already pioneered? If you haven’t yet, we encourage you to read the commentary and explore how we can make this framework a reality for every student in California. READ HERE

SEAL in the Field

SEAL Turns 5!

This school year, we celebrate an exciting milestone for SEAL. More than 15 years ago, Dr. Laurie Olsen and Sobrato Philanthropies initiated the English Learner-focused pilot with a vision that all children should have access to opportunities for growth and success. Their dedication led to the eventual creation of the SEAL we know today. In 2019, we became an independent nonprofit, expanding our partnerships with California districts, educators, and communities to champion equitable, culturally responsive learning environments for multilingual students. Follow us on socials and in e-news throughout the year, as we celebrate five years of growth and learning, sharing stories and highlights that honor the collective impact we’ve achieved together.

Supporting the Bilingual Teacher Pipeline

The Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program (BTPDP), established in 2018 and reauthorized in 2022 with a $20 million investment from the state of California, aims to significantly increase the number of highly qualified bilingual teachers who obtain a bilingual authorization. Its mission is to ensure that students can learn from educators who are not only fluent in their home language but are also well-prepared to teach bilingually. In addition to guiding teachers through the certification process, BTPDP focuses on enhancing their language skills, deepening their understanding of bilingual pedagogy, and equipping them with effective teaching strategies. Over the next 5 years, SEAL is partnering with Azusa Unified School District to provide this support to educators across the state, continuing its successful work since 2017 to grow the bilingual teacher pipeline. First cohort begins this Fall! For more information, contact BTPDPinfo@seal.org.

Strengthening Dual Language Programs

Join us for a FREE four part series starting September 23 designed to support planning, implementing, strengthening, and sustaining dual language programs. Designed for Elementary Administrators and Leaders, The Dual Language Pedagogy Institute draws from the “hot off the presses” chapters written by  Dr. Laurie Olsen from the recently released California Department of Education book, Improving Multilingual and English Learner Education: From Research to Practice. Space is limited to the first 100 participants. REGISTER HERE

SEAL Partners with National Experts to Transform Early Childhood Education

SEAL is excited to announce its collaboration on the Great First Eight Curriculum development project, led by Dr. Nell K. Duke, a renowned early literacy expert and one of the most influential education scholars in the U.S. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, SEAL will play a key consulting role, ensuring the curriculum supports Dual Language Learners and their families. Dr. Duke, along with esteemed co-directors Dr. Claire Vallotton (infant to age three) and Dr. Marisha Humphries (Pre-K to grade two), is spearheading a national effort to revolutionize early childhood education. As Dr. Duke explains, “We need a curricular revolution.” SEAL is proud to be part of this mission, contributing our expertise to review lesson plans, enhance professional learning sessions, and provide strategic guidance.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: SEAL Partners with Oakland Unified to Strengthen Dual Language Programs

SEAL is proud to partner with Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) to deliver our Dual Language Designs for Change professional development program across three Dual Language school sites. Over the next two years, 70 educators—including teacher leads, embedded coaches, and school leadership—will participate in SEAL’s Dual Language Series. This comprehensive program includes ongoing webinars, on-site coaching, and technical support to ensure successful strategy implementation. Working closely with OUSD’s embedded coaches and principals, SEAL will ensure all teachers at these sites receive the tools and guidance they need to enhance bilingual education.This impactful initiative is fully aligned with the Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education and California’s English Learner Roadmap Policy.

Check out SEAL's New Events Page

We’re looking forward to meeting you this 24-25 school year at a conference near you! 

Our new event web page keeps you up to date with easy links to register to upcoming webinars and conferences. On the Horizon:

• September 21, 2024: Free Event Session: San Jose State University ECI 2024 Professional Meeting: the Power of Integrated Learning
• September 23, 2024: Free Webinar Series: Dual Language Pedagogy Institute For elementary Administrators/Leaders
• September 24: 2024: Free Webinar: Quality Dual Language Immersion: Pedagogy, Curriculum and Instruction
• October 17, 2024: Conference Session - Beyond Student Labels: Strengthening Systems for Multilingual Learners with Disabilities
• November 13 - 16: La Cosecha Various SEAL Sessions. Details coming soon.
• December 5, 2024: Conference Session: What is the Science of Reading and What is the Role of the Board in Literacy Instruction?

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