1. Braille ELPA Summative Now Available Year-Round

As of the school year 2024-25, ordering processes for the Braille English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Summative have changed.

• The Braille ELPA Summative may now be ordered at any time during the year. (There is no longer an October ordering deadline.)
  • Allow at least two weeks for delivery.
  • Orders placed two weeks or less from the close of the ELPA Summative test window cannot be honored.
• Braille ELPA Summative training will be posted to the ODE website and available asynchronously. 

The English Language Proficiency Assessment Braille Order Fillable PDF Form has been updated to reflect these changes. The school year has been removed from the form, as it is no longer necessary.

Please contact Carla Martinez, Administrative Support Specialist, with questions about ordering braille versions of Oregon’s ELPA tests.

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1. Add These Engaging Titles to Your Multilingual Classroom Library!

As educators committed to expanding knowledge within the diverse communities that make up our state, we’re excited to share a valuable resource for your upper elementary and middle school classrooms: Indio no más by Charlene Willing McManis, Traci Sorell, and Luisana Duarte Armendáriz, published by Lee & Low Books. Available in both English and Spanish, this impactful book offers rich cultural insights, engaging storytelling and includes a comprehensive teacher’s guide to support classroom discussion. Below is a brief book summary (Lee & Low Books, n.d.):

Español: Regina Petit, una niña Umpqua de diez años, ha vivido toda su vida en la reserva de la tribu Grand Ronde, donde su mayor preocupación era si Sasquatch existía en el bosque. Sin embargo, su mundo cambia drásticamente cuando el gobierno federal promulga una ley que declara que su tribu ya no existe, convirtiéndola en "india no más" de la noche a la mañana. Obligada a abandonar su tierra natal, su familia se muda a Los Ángeles bajo el Programa de Reubicación de Indígenas. En este nuevo entorno, Regina se enfrenta al racismo por primera vez, tanto hacia ella como hacia sus amigos, mientras intenta descubrir su identidad en un mundo que la trata como si no perteneciera. Aunque su padre cree que trabajando arduamente podrán integrarse como estadounidenses blancos, la realidad es mucho más compleja, especialmente en la era de los Derechos Civiles de 1957. En esta conmovedora historia basada en la vida real de la autora Charlene Willing McManis, Regina busca entender quién es: ¿india, americana o ambas?

English: Ten-year-old Regina Petit has always lived on the Grand Ronde Tribe’s reservation, but her world is turned upside down when the federal government declares her tribe no longer exists, making her “Indian no more” overnight. Forced to relocate, her family moves to Los Angeles under the federal Indian Relocation Program, where Regina experiences a new, diverse world and faces the harsh reality of racism for the first time. Her father believes that hard work will earn them acceptance as white Americans, but life proves challenging during the Civil Rights era of 1957. Amidst these struggles, Regina must navigate her identity and discover whether she is Indian, American, or both, while holding onto the support of her family and her grandmother’s stories. The book is based on the lived story of the author Charlene Willing McManis.

Book cover by Marlena Myles.

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3. Subscribe to ODE’s American Indian/Alaska Native Education Newsletter

Stay informed about important updates, resources, and opportunities from the Oregon Department of Education’s American Indian/Alaska Native Education. Their Monthly Newsletter provides valuable insights into initiatives, events, and programs that support Native students and communities. Don’t miss out—subscribe here to receive the latest news straight to your inbox.

Image by Mariia Shalabaieva.

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1. Webinar: IDRC Monthly Effective Strategic Planning, November 19, 2024 (Repost)

Now is the time to plan effectively! Join IDRC for the November Monthly Webinar. IDRC will be holding a training on effective Strategic Planning. This will include resources and information relevant for individual resources for recruiters, coordinators, regions, and state personnel. This information will be helpful in creating recruiter action plans, local, regional and state IDR plans. Registration is required; click here to register for this webinar.

Image by Christina.

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2. Webinar: Strategies for Supporting Newcomer Students' Academic Success, November 20, 2024

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Safe and Supportive Schools, the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) invites you to join their next webinar— Strategies for Supporting Newcomer Students’ Academic Success on November 20th, 2024, at 3:00 – 4:30 PM ET.

Newcomer students, who have arrived in the U.S. within the last three years and are still learning English and bring valuable strengths to their school communities. This webinar will share strategies for educators and school personnel to support their academic success using an asset-based approach. The session will feature an evidence-based overview and a panel of educators sharing practical strategies and insights. The webinar concludes with a live Q&A.

Who should attend? State and district leaders, administrators, educators, support staff, parents, and other education stakeholders. Registration is required—click here to register.

Image by Christin Hume.

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3. Webinario: Becas de 4-H y de la Fundación Ford Family, 20 de noviembre de 2024

El 20 de noviembre, Oregon State University llevará a cabo una sesión informativa sobre la destacada beca de la Fundación Ford Family. Dirigida a padres y estudiantes de todos los niveles académicos, esta sesión tiene como objetivo informar sobre los pasos clave para prepararse y aplicar a esta oportunidad de financiamiento para estudios universitarios.

Asistir no requiere una decisión previa sobre la universidad; el propósito es presentar las opciones disponibles para cubrir los costos de una educación superior. La información compartida puede ser fundamental para planificar un futuro académico con mayor claridad. Para reservar su lugar, regístrese aquí.

Image by Clay Banks.

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If you have content or stories you’d like featured in our newsletter, we want to hear from you! Whether it’s an article, event, or an inspiring story, your contributions add depth to our discussions.Please send your submissions and ideas to Estephany Membreno, Administrative Specialist, and you may see your content in an upcoming publication.

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For questions or assistance, the Multilingual and Migrant (MME) team is available to support you. Please contact us via email for further information.

Explore the Multilingual and Migrant team webpage to discover more about our initiatives, impact and resources.