Multilingual Academic Services (MAS)

Volume 4, Summer 2026

Summer Horizons:

Recharge, Renew and Return

Summer is a season of sunshine, rest, and fun — a well-earned pause after months of showing up with dedication and care for students. As the school year comes to a close, we are filled with gratitude for those educators and leaders who support multilingual learners across Orange County. The ripple effects of your work extend far beyond the classroom walls. Whether you spent the year refining instruction, building relationships with families, advocating for your students, or simply being the steady, caring presence a child needed, that work matters.

For the school year ahead, the state has approved new screening instruments specifically designed for Transitional Kindergarten Multilingual Learners, with voluntary field testing beginning in 2026–27 and full implementation in 2027–28. More guidance from the California Department of Education (CDE) will be coming soon.

Also on the horizon: OCDE is participating in a state grant offering the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program (BTPDP), providing credentialed teachers an opportunity to earn a bilingual authorization at no cost. Stay connected for more details throughout the coming year.

As summer stretches out ahead, we hope you rest, recharge, and rediscover the things that bring you joy. Take the trip. Read the book. Sleep in. The students who will walk into your classroom in the fall are lucky to have someone who shows up for them the way you do.

We look forward to continuing this journey together in the new school year — refreshed, renewed, and ready to reach even greater heights for the multilingual learners across our county. Enjoy every moment of the summer you have so richly earned.

Inside this Issue

Multilingual Learner Policy Spotlight
MAS Resource Hub
Did You Know?
Upcoming Events

Multilingual Learner Policy Spotlight

Transitional Kindergarten Multilingual Learner Screener Instruments

Assembly Bill (AB) 2268 exempts Transitional Kindergarten (TK) students from taking the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). Because the ELPAC was not designed for younger TK-aged children, Education Code (EC) Section 48004 requires the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) to select age-appropriate screening tools to identify students who may benefit from additional English language development support.

The SSPI has approved the following TK Multilingual Learner (ML) screening instruments:

IPT Early Childhood (Ballard & Tighe Publishers) – An individual oral language screener that measures vocabulary, language structure, and comprehension in English and Spanish.
preLAS (Data Recognition Corporation) – An individual oral language screener for children ages 3–5, available in English and Spanish.

Important: TK ML screening is not used to identify students as English Learners (ELs) and cannot be used for high-stakes decisions. Instead, it creates a separate TK Multilingual Learner designation to help schools provide early language support. Students who qualify for TK ML screening will complete the Initial ELPAC when they enroll in kindergarten.

The implementation will proceed in two phases:

• 2026–27 (Voluntary Field Testing): Local educational agencies (LEAs) may voluntarily participate in field testing of the approved instruments. Training and technical support will be provided by the vendors and the CDE. The CDE is interested in connecting with districts that currently use either the IPT Early Childhood or preLAS, and districts with an interest in early field testing.

• 2027–28 (Mandatory Implementation): All LEAs serving TK students must screen students whose Home Language Survey indicates a primary language other than English, using one of the two state-approved instruments, within 30 days of enrollment in TK.

Accessing the Screeners:

The approved TK Multilingual Learner (ML) screening instruments will be provided to LEAs at no cost. To support implementation, Assembly Bill 121 (2025) provides $10 million in funding through June 30, 2028.

The CDE is developing a centralized process for LEAs to request and receive screening instruments. Additional guidance, including timelines and access procedures, will be shared with LEAs in the coming months.

LEAs should not contact vendors directly to purchase or order screening instruments or materials.

Additional information is available on the CDE TK Multilingual Learner Screening webpage.

MAS Resource Hub

OPTEL: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/optel.asp

The Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners (OPTEL) webpage provides information, tools, and resources to support educators in observing and evaluating English Learners’ (ELs) academic English language use. Approved by the California State Board of Education as the statewide standardized protocol for EL reclassification Criteria 2 (teacher evaluation) and 3 (parent opinion and consultation), OPTEL helps teachers assess students’ receptive and expressive language development during content-area learning. The webpage includes the OPTEL tool, user guide, implementation resources, FAQs, webinars, and materials to support equitable and consistent reclassification practices across California.

Did You Know?

Do you hold a Bilingual Authorization?

Orange County Department of Education is part of a grant offering the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program (BTPDP). This program is dedicated to supporting credentialed teachers who are working with bilingual and multilingual students in developing their language proficiency, but who do not currently hold a bilingual authorization.

Throughout the coming year, grant activities and opportunities will be provided. Activities could include specialized training to work with multilingual students effectively, preparation programs to take the CSET, and courses toward obtaining your bilingual authorization granted through the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. These programs will be paid for from the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Grant at no cost to you.

Stay connected! Complete the Interest and Needs Survey to get on the list at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LACOE-BTP-2025 .

For more information, please contact Catalina Sanchez at csanchez@ocde.us.

Upcoming Events

English Learner Counselor Toolkit: Professional Learning Community

This virtual series is designed for secondary school counselors in Orange County who work with English Learner students. Participants will explore the EL Roadmap, gain practical strategies and resources from the EL Counselor Toolkit, and collaborate with peers to support students' academic and social-emotional success. Sessions are flexible — attend one or all, whatever fits your schedule.

Download Flyer

Project GLAD® Foundations Training in partnership with Cal State Fullerton

This six-day training gives educators the foundation and hands-on experience needed to confidently deliver Project GLAD® strategies in support of multilingual learners. The first two days focus on the research and theory behind the Project GLAD® model. The final four days feature Agency Trainers modeling strategies in a live classroom while participants create resources, practice the techniques, and receive coaching and feedback.

Download Flyer

Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (RDRS) and Multilingual Learners

This session helps educators understand and respond to Reading Difficulties Risk Screener (RDRS) data through a multilingual learner lens. Participants will explore culturally and linguistically responsive screening practices, distinguish language acquisition from reading difficulty, and use data to design targeted literacy instruction and intervention.

Download Flyer

Project GLAD® Preschool Foundations Training

This five-day training covers both the research and theory behind the Project GLAD®

model and the direct application of strategies in support of early childhood multilingual learners. It draws on brain research and theories of child development and language acquisition to understand how young children grow and learn.

Download Flyer

Save the Dates!

2026-2027 DLI Leadership Network

Whether you're a seasoned DLI leader or new to the role, these meetings are designed to foster meaningful collaboration and support throughout the school year.

Share ideas, resources, and promising practices
Collaborate on supporting multilingual learners and bilingual programs
Strengthen your leadership and grow your professional network

Download Image

Project GLAD® Secondary Foundations Training: Modules 3 and 4

Project GLAD® comes to secondary settings with this module-based training series designed to strengthen instruction and support for multilingual learners. Educators and Agency Trainers each have a dedicated track, with tailored depth and focus for every role.

Download Flyer

Systems of Support for Multilingual Learners

This three-part learning series integrates MTSS and Community Schools practices to strengthen schoolwide supports for multilingual learners, including Long-Term English Learners. Participants will gain practical tools, research-based instruction, and system-level strategies to support students' academic, social-emotional, and linguistic success. Open to all - no Community Schools Grant required.

Download Flyer