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Updates from the Oregon Department of Education
1. Invitation to Participate in the ODE English Learner Advisory Group
3. We Are Updating Our MME Team Webpages to Better Serve You
4. Honoring Student Proficiency Policy Update
5. Informational Update: 2025-26 Assessment Administration Schedule Published
News and Resources for Multilingual and Migrant Education
2. New Report Explores How State and Local Governments Implement Language Access Measures
3. New Data Reveals What Americans Really Think About Asian Americans
4. OMESC is Hiring a Bilingual Data Specialist!
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
1. Bilingual and Diverse Teachers Conference, May 17, 2025
2. Register Now! Free Virtual Summer Recruitment Institute, May 20-22, 2025
1. Invitation to Participate in the ODE English Learner Advisory Group
The ODE EL Advisory Group is a diverse group of community and district stakeholders and an important part of Oregon Department of Education’s (ODE) decision-making process and effective implementation of the EL Strategic State Plan as required by ORS 336.076. This group is comprised of district and school administration, teachers, students, parents, and community members.
The Multilingual & Migrant Education team is inviting interested individuals to apply to participate in this advisory group for the term of two years including the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic calendar years. For detailed information on the scope of work of the EL Advisory Group and member responsibilities please visit the EL Advisory Group Charter webpage.
Please submit the EL Advisory Application if you are interested in participating.
Contact Jennifer Fontana, Multilingual Education Specialist with questions.
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2. Invitation to Provide Feedback: Multilingual Learner Statewide Collaborative
During the 2024-25 academic year, the Multilingual Learner (ML) Statewide Collaborative addressed two primary problems of practice focusing on supports for recently arrived, newcomer students and the implementation of integrated English language development. Participants learned from one another, shared ideas and developed resources for the field.
In preparation for the 2025-26 academic year, we need your feedback! Please contribute your ideas in this 2025-26 ML Statewide Collaborative Planning Survey where you can share your thoughts on scheduling the meetings, how the meetings are structured and what topics you would like to suggest for next year.
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3. We Are Updating Our MME Team Webpages to Better Serve You
We’re excited to announce that on May 20, 2025, our team’s webpages will have a fresh new look! The updated About Multilingual and Migrant Education, Migrant Education, and Multilingual Education & Title III pages will offer a cleaner design and easier access to the programs, resources, and information you rely on.
To ensure a smooth transition, the previous versions of these pages will remain accessible for a short time. During this period, you might notice some duplicate content as we continue updating links across other areas. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we complete this process.
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Educators made up the majority: 76 English Language Development (ELD) teachers and 17 classroom teachers
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Leaders weighed in: 21 school or district administrators
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Students and families had a voice: 12 students, 4 parents
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Community representation included: 7 community members and 1 tribal member
- Responses represented about 50 school districts statewide, covering diverse regions and demographics
Nearly all of the 118 respondents supported the policy expansion, with 117 in favor, 0 opposed, 1 abstention, and 73 written comments.
Voices from the Field:
- “I work with students in grades 6–8 who have consistently demonstrated proficiency in multiple areas of the ELPA. Despite this, they are required to retake all sections of the assessment every year. This has led to repeated frustration among my students, especially when they are reminded of their past scores and recognize they are being asked to prove the same skills again. Many of them see this repetition as unnecessary and discouraging.”
- “Honoring Student Proficiency reduces the loss of instructional minutes, motivates ELL students to strive towards growth, reduces unnecessary testing time, and encourages progress for students acquiring English.”
Since its original adoption, this policy has helped students build confidence, reduced redundant testing, and affirmed language development in meaningful ways.
Next Steps:
ODE has submitted the results to the U.S. Department of Education. ED will now review the comments and issue a final decision on the renewal and expansion request.
Thank you to all who shared your perspectives and helped strengthen this important work for Oregon’s multilingual learners!
nformational Update: 2025-26 Assessment Administration Schedule Published
The 2025-26 Assessment Administration Schedule includes the windows for administration of required Oregon Statewide Assessment System (OSAS) components, as well as the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the nationally normed college entrance practice test (PreACT).
The dates in this Assessment Administration Schedule are final. This schedule will also appear in the 2025-26 Test Administration Manual as Appendix A.
The 2024-25 Assessment Administration Schedule will remain available through the end of the 24-25 assessment window.
Contact the ODE Assessment team with questions or concerns
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6. 2025-26 ELPA Screener Test Window and Future/Early K Name Update
The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Screener goes offline each year during the yearly system rollover in mid-July. In 2025, the ELPA Screener will go offline 7/18/25 and reopen 8/1/25. The Future K Screener will reopen with an updated name: the Future/Early K Screener. The word “early” will be added to signal that this is the right test to administer both to students who are about to enter their kindergarten year as well as students who are testing early in their kindergarten year. As a reminder:
- The Future/Early K Screener is for students who are entering kindergarten and testing prior to the opening of the ELPA Summative test window.
- The Grade K Screener is for students who are entering kindergarten and testing during or after the ELPA Summative test window.
The exact dates of the 2025-26 ELPA Screener window can be found in ODE's published test schedule and will be added to Appendix A of the 2025-26 Test Administration Manual.
Contact Ben Wolcott, ELPA Specialist, with questions about the ELPA.
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New Report Explores How State and Local Governments Implement Language Access Measures
The Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy has released a new report examining how language access measures are put into practice by state and local governments. Behind the Scenes: Mapping How State and Local Governments Implement Language Access Measures offers an in-depth look at administrative processes, funding structures, monitoring efforts, and the intangible factors that shape these programs. Drawing on interviews with government staff, the report highlights lessons and challenges in ensuring effective services for more than 27 million U.S. residents with limited English proficiency.
3. New Data Reveals What Americans Really Think About Asian Americans
Did you know that in the 2022–23 school year, approximately half of Asian and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students in Oregon were identified as multilingual learners (current or formerly designated as English learners)? Oregon’s multilingual learners represent a rich tapestry of intersecting identities, speaking a wide range of languages and coming from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. As AANHPI Heritage Month continues, it offers an opportunity to learn more about the experiences within these communities. The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) recently released its 2024 STAATUS Index, a national study examining public perceptions of Asian Americans. This year’s findings point to a notable gap between public perception and reported experiences, with nearly half of Americans believing Asian Americans are treated fairly while many AANHPI individuals report concerns about safety and discrimination.
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The Oregon Migrant Education Service Center is pleased to announce an opening for a Bilingual Data Specialist. This position plays a key role in supporting regional staff by providing training and technical assistance on the state data system. For more information about the position please review the job description.
Contact Charlie Bauer, OMESC Director, with questions.
1. Bilingual and Diverse Teachers Conference, May 17, 2025
The Bilingual and Diverse Teachers Conference will be held in person on Saturday, May 17, from 8:30 AM- 2:30 PM at Western Oregon University’s RWEC Building. This free event is open to bilingual and diverse educators, future teachers, and community members statewide.
The program will feature presentations from teacher educators and K-12 teachers, offering resources and strategies for the classroom. Breakfast, lunch, and networking opportunities will be provided. Registration is required. Click here to register for this event.
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2. Register Now! Free Virtual Summer Recruitment Institute, May 20-22, 2025
The Identification & Recruitment Consortium (IDRC) invites all MEP staff to register for the free Virtual Summer Recruitment Institute, happening May 20-22! With no concurrent sessions and no recorded classes, this is your chance to fully engage in every session you choose. Simply register for the classes that interest you and engage with innovative strategies, valuable insights, and key information to sharpen your recruitment skills. Click here to register and learn more.
3. Webinar: Building Quality Learning Systems for English Learners and All Students, May 28, 2025
Join WestEd for an engaging webinar on building quality learning systems that support all students, especially English Learners. Discover an ecological framework for student improvement and learn how districts are using it to strengthen instructional outcomes. Leslie Hamburger of WestEd will introduce the Quality Teaching for English Learners Collaborative Program Review, with Charisse Rosario from Loudoun County Public Schools sharing real-world lessons from their continuous improvement journey. Click here to register for this event.
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4. Webinar: Disrupting Best Practices: Evaluating International Transcripts, May 29, 2025
P. L. Grant Associates will host the webinar Disrupting Best Practices: Evaluating International Transcripts on May 29, 2025. This session will offer school counselors, teachers, and advocates a practical framework for awarding transfer credit for foreign transcripts, helping students connect prior learning with graduation requirements.
5. 2025 ID&R, OMSIS, MSIX Summer Workshops, Starting in May!
The Oregon Migrant Education Service Center will be hosting three summer ID&R/OMSIS/MSIX workshops this year. All Recruiters and Data Specialists working during the summer are required to attend one of the three available sessions below. Please register for one of the workshops listed below by Friday, May 23, 2025. Click here to view the workshop flyer.
Upcoming dates:
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Thursday, May 29th, 2025, at Columbia Gorge ESD, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (In-person)
- Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Virtual, 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
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Thursday, June 5, 2025, Willamette ESD, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM (In-person)
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Hosted by Clackamas ESD, the EITO conference will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Happy Valley, Oregon.
Conference organizers are seeking proposals for presentations! If you are interested in attending or sharing your expertise, please review conference and proposals information.
Contact Dan Kimbrow with questions.
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.
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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.
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