|
Updates from the Oregon Department of Education
1. Farewell and Happy Retirement to Leslie Casebeer
2. Grant Available: 2025 Immigrant/Refugee Student Success Grant Program
1. Dear Colleague Letter from Secretary of Education on Resources for Ensuring Equal Access to Education for Immigrant Students
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
1. Education Leaders for Oregon’s English Learners Program, Summer 2025
2. Free Professional Development for World Language Teachers, Starting January 22, 2025
After an incredible 38 years of dedicated service, Leslie Casebeer has retired from their role as Office Specialist on our Multilingual and Migrant Education team. Leslie’s steadfast support and commitment to the team have made a lasting impact, and their contributions will be deeply missed. On December 13, 2024, Leslie was celebrated by colleagues with heartfelt wishes for the future, ahead of their final day on December 16, 2024. We sincerely thank Leslie for their many years of service and wish them the best in this new chapter of life.
The Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OEDI) is pleased to announce the release of the 2025 Immigrant/Refugee Student Success Program Request for Applications (RFA). Please review all RFA materials prior to applying. All materials can be found on the OregonBuys website under “File Attachments”.
To be eligible for a Grant under this RFA, an applicant must be an Oregon school district with Recent Arriver students as of 2023-24, as reported in the ODE Title III Recent Arriver Data Collection. The maximum grant amount for March 10, 2025, to June 30, 2025, will be $150,000.
Timeline
- Friday, January 10, 2025 - Grant RFA released
- Wednesday, January 22, 2025, by 3:00 PM - Question deadline for FAQ document
- Friday, January 24, 2025, by 3:00 PM - FAQ document posted
- Monday, February 10, 2025, by 3:00 PM - Applications Due
- Monday, March 10, 2025 - Notice of Award
- Click here for more information and to apply by February 10, 2025, at 3:00 PM PDT
Questions that are received by January 22, 2025, at 3:00 PM will be included in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and posted on OregonBuys.
he test window for the following 2025 English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) tests are now open:
- ELPA Summative
- Alt ELPA
- Grade K ELPA Screener
The test window for the following ELPA test closed on January 13, 2025.
Contact Ben Wolcot, ELPA Specialist, with questions regarding ELPA testing. And contact Mason Rivers, Special Education Assessment Specialist, with questions regarding the Alt ELPA or testing students with disabilities.
Back to top
|
The U.S. Department of Education has posted a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel A. Cardona, dated January 8, 2025, on Resources for Ensuring Equal Access to Education for Immigrant Students. You can find links to this letter, along with other key policy letters, below:
Photo by Andy Feliciotti on Unsplash.
|
2. IDRC Agriculture Information Portal
Explore IDRC's Agriculture Information Portal, offering state-specific resources like the latest H-2A numbers, farm lists, and more—click here to learn more!
Back to top
4. A Bold Step for Indigenous Language Revitalization
The White House Council on Native American Affairs has launched a 10-year plan to preserve and reclaim Indigenous languages, addressing the lasting impact of assimilation policies. With fewer than 20 Indigenous languages expected to remain by 2050 without action, the plan prioritizes education, cultural immersion, and community support. Click here to learn more about this initiative.
1. Education Leaders for Oregon’s English Learners Program, Summer 2025
The University of Oregon is offering a grant-funded online ESOL endorsement program called Education Leaders for Oregon’s English Learners (ELOEL). This program, funded by an OELA NPD grant, provides a scholarship-based option for teachers across Oregon to earn their ESOL endorsement through an online program. The scholarship covers up to $11,500 of the approximate $11,500 total tuition per participant.
Applications are now open for the third cohort, which begins in Summer 2025. The scholarship is available to fully licensed K-8 teachers currently serving students designated as English Learners. Click here to view FAQ for easy sharing with educators.
An information session will be held on Wednesday, January 29th, at 4:30 PM. Interested individuals can register via the 2025-26 ESOL Endorsement Program form.
Contact Amie Garcia, Project Coordinator with questions.
2. Free Professional Development for World Language Teachers, Starting January 22, 2025
Each spring, CALPER offers free online webinars for world language teachers, led by experts in innovative teaching approaches. These sessions provide evidence-based strategies to enhance language instruction, including for less commonly taught languages. Click here to view upcoming webinars.
3. Webinar: Empowering Change – Strengthening Instruction for ML Newcomer Students, January 28, 2025
Join SupportEd on Tuesday, January 28, at 4:00 PM ET for "Empowering Change: Strengthening Instruction for ML Newcomer Students.” This session will focus on the importance of improving instruction and programs for ML newcomer students. Attendees will gain strategies and tools to assess and enhance education for these students, with practical steps to set meaningful goals. Participants will earn 1 hour of professional development credit.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash.
|
4. Save the Date: IDRC 3rd Annual Recruiter Invitational – Registration Opens January 2025
Mark your calendars for IDRC’s 3rd Annual Recruiter Invitational, happening September 10–11 in Virginia Beach! Registration opens sometime in January, with only 250 spots available—stay tuned.
The National Center for Farmworker Health team is hosting a session to share what they’ve learned so far about the H5N1 bird flu in the U.S., how it’s affecting farmworkers, and the steps being taken at local, state, and national levels. They’ll also walk you through helpful resources, including:
- Safety protocols for outreach staff
- Bird flu training materials for workers
- How to access free PPE to support at-risk workers
It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get the tools you need—don’t miss it! Click here to register for this event.
Photo by Thomas Iversen on Unslpash.
|
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.
Back to top
|
For questions or assistance, the Multilingual and Migrant (MME) team is available to support you. Please contact us via email for further information.
|
You were added to this newsletter if you are part of the Migrant Education Program and/or the Title III English Learner listserv. Migrant Ed and Title III leaders, staff, and interested members of the public may subscribe to this newsletter through ODE's QuickSubscribe portal at any time. We thank you for serving Oregon's multilingual and migrant students.
|
