May 28, 2026

NEW Blog: NPD Grantee Spotlight – EBEST Project 

Project EBEST helps strengthen bilingual and ESL educator preparation across Texas through research-based instruction, individualized mentoring, and certification support for pre-service and in-service teachers.

In this grantee spotlight, Project Director Rafael Lara-Alecio shares how the program combines virtual mentoring, evidence-based practices, and responsive teacher preparation to support educators working with emergent bilingual students.

The spotlight also highlights key lessons learned, future expansion efforts, and stories of impact from participating educators.

Explore Our Toolkits – Find What Works for You

Are you looking for resources to support ELs and their families? NCELA offers three toolkits designed to promote high-quality educational experiences for ELs and their families. Explore and download the toolkit that best fits your needs:

• Family Toolkit
• English Learner Toolkit
• Newcomer Toolkit

May 19–21, 2026

2026 NJTESOL/NJBE Spring Conference

In-Person Conference

The In-Person Conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick. You can register for 1, 2, or all 3 days, featuring keynote speakers Dr. Margarita Machado-Casas, Dr. Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan, and Dr. Sharroky Hollie. A Video Library Conference with select presentations will also be available from May 27 to August 20, covering topics across General Interest, Content Area Instruction, Bilingual/ESL (Pre-K–12), Higher Ed, Teacher Ed, and more.

July 14–16, 2026

2026 SIOP Virtual Conference

Virtual Conference

Register for the 2026 SIOP Virtual Conference, hosted by Savvas Learning. Join the four SIOP authors, Dr. Jim Cummins, and educators nationwide for 30+ live sessions designed to help new and experienced educators strengthen instruction for multilingual learners and ELs. Registered participants also receive 90-day access to session recordings.

September 15–18, 2026

2026 WIDA Annual Conference

In-Person Conference

“This conference, by teachers, for teachers, is the premier event for educators of pre-K through grade 12 multilingual learners, giving educators the opportunity to share best practices and discover innovative classroom strategies. The in-person conference will take place September 16–18, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, under the theme ‘Building Gateways to Colaboración.' A curated virtual track will also be available on September 15, 2026. Join the WIDA Annual Conference email list to stay up-to-date on call for proposals, registration details and more.”

KSL.com

Utah High Schools Touted for Efforts to Prep English-Language Learners for Higher-Level Classes

Highlighting Utah high schools, this article shows how multilingual learners (MLs) are succeeding in advanced-level, International Baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment courses and earning grades of C or higher. This success is due to educators’ efforts to prepare MLs for advanced coursework with practices including targeted professional development for teachers, and tailoring instruction to MLs’ individual needs.

Nj.com

Hundreds of Newark Immigrant Students Wrongly Classified as Disabled in Schools

This resource describes the situation in one of New Jersey’s school districts where ELs were systematically over-referred for special education services. It highlights the reasons for this phenomenon, such as strained resources and language and cultural barriers, and offers strategies and solutions for how districts can differentiate language proficiency from learning and cognitive disabilities.

Institute of Educational Sciences

NEW RESOURCE: Your Student and Career and Technical Education (CTE): A Resource for Parents and Caregivers

Designed for parents and caregivers, this infographic explains CTE programs in U.S. schools. The resource explains what CTE is, outlines the main components of CTE programs, and provides a summary of commonly used CTE terminology.

Language Magazine

TIPS FOR EDUCATORS: The Best of Both Worlds

This article describes the challenges that Dual Language Education (DLE) programs experience with the implementation of educational mandates such as the Science of Reading (SOR). The author argues that while SOR has proven to be beneficial for literacy development, it is not tailored to DLE programs. The article provides some practical suggestions on how DLE program leaders can support their students and educators implementing SOR while continuing to provide instruction and foster comprehensive development in two languages.

Webinar: From Evidence to Action: Advancing Comprehensive English Language Development Through Content-Based ELD Instruction

Evidence-based practices are only as powerful as their implementation. In this webinar series, keynote speaker Aída Walqui explores how to bring content-based English Language Development from research into high-quality classroom practice across curriculum, instruction, and assessment. Participants will also learn strategies and systems that support rigorous, relevant, and accessible learning for MLs.

SIOP Training for Teachers Virtual Institute

Join the monthly Savvas SIOP Virtual Institute, a foundational course developed with the SIOP authors for educators seeking a comprehensive introduction to or refresher on the research-based SIOP Model. Registration includes the 6th edition textbook, Making Content Comprehensible for Multilingual Learners: The SIOP Model, plus access to a live Q&A with SIOP author Dr. Katie Toppel. Participants may also opt to earn graduate credits through the University of the Pacific.

Call for TESOL Convention Presenters

TESOL invites English language teachers and related professionals to submit proposals for two premier TESOL events: the TESOL 2027 International Convention & Expo, held in Houston, Texas, March 15–18, 2027, and the TESOL 2026 Virtual Convention, happening online November 20–21, 2026. For TESOL 2027, TESOL is also accepting proposals for Preconvention Institutes. Submit proposals by June 8.

Bilingual Ed/Dual Language Immersion Teacher

Little Rock School District

Little Rock, Arkansas

Assistant Director of Family Literacy and Multilingual Learner Programs for Adult Education

Danbury Public Schools

Danbury, CT 

26-27 Department Chair - Multilingual Learner Education

Somerville Public Schools

Somerville, MA

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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 partiality by NCELA, the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), or the U.S. Department of Education.