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Updates from the Oregon Department of Education
1. Now Available: 2023–24 Oregon English Learner Report + Reporting Deadline Update
2. Closing Celebration of the Binational Teacher Exchange Program – July 31st, Eugene, Oregon
3. Celebrating the Impact of the Binational Teacher Exchange Program Across Oregon
4. Migrant Education Partners with Oregon State University and Southern Oregon University to Inspire and Empower Migrant Youth
News and Resources for Multilingual and Migrant Education
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
1. Now Available: 2023–24 Oregon English Learner Report + Reporting Deadline Update
The 2023–24 Oregon English Learner Report is now available. This annual publication, required by ORS 327.016, provides detailed financial data related to English language learner (EL) programs, outlines key objectives and student needs, and shares demographic information for EL students across Oregon’s school districts. District-specific Data Profiles are also included to support local planning and decision-making.
District Deadline Extended: House Bill 3037, passed in the 2025 legislative session changes the annual reporting deadline for districts from September 1 to December 1. This extension is intended to reduce pressure on districts and allow more time for thoughtful, complete reporting to school boards and the public.
Access the EL Report and District Data Profiles: 🔗ODE Legislatively Required Publications
Learn more about HB 3037: 🔗 View the full bill on OLIS
Questions? Contact: ode.mme@ode.oregon.gov
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2. Closing Celebration of the Binational Teacher Exchange Program – July 31st, Eugene, Oregon
The Oregon Department of Education is proud to share that the closing celebration of the 2025 Binational Teacher Exchange Program took place on July 31st in Eugene, Oregon, during the Lane ESD Migrant Summer School Celebration. The event brought together students, families, and community partners to honor the incredible work of educators and celebrate a joyful summer of learning.
This year, 20 binational teachers from Mexico joined classrooms across Oregon, from Nyssa to Ontario, Multnomah to Phoenix-Talent, bringing their pedagogical expertise, rich cultural perspectives, and deep linguistic connections to migrant students from Pre-K to 8th grade.
The event featured special remarks from Mary Martinez-Wenzl, Director of the Multilingual and Migrant Education Team at the Oregon Department of Education. In her heartfelt message, she expressed deep appreciation for the dedication and cultural contributions of the binational teachers. She emphasized how these educators help bridge cultures, build trust with families, and strengthen students’ sense of identity and belonging. She reaffirmed Oregon’s commitment to sustaining and growing this over 20-year collaboration with Mexico, recognizing its vital role in supporting the academic success and well-being of migrant students.
The celebration also included the participation of Consul Carlos Quesnel, Consul General of Mexico in Portland, who recognized the efforts of the visiting teachers and extended appreciation to all Oregon regional Migrant Education Programs that hosted teachers this summer. This year’s cohort included educators from Hidalgo, Morelos, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and Puebla.
A special thank you to the Lane Education Service District, Superintendent Tony Scurto, and Director of School Improvement Ana Quintero-Arias, for their outstanding support and leadership in hosting the closing event and welcoming binational teachers throughout the summer.
As we look ahead, the Oregon Department of Education hopes to expand this program to more regions in 2026, continuing to celebrate the strengths, resilience, and diversity of our students and communities.
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3. Celebrating the Impact of the Binational Teacher Exchange Program Across Oregon
This summer, Oregon welcomed 20 exceptional binational teachers from Mexico through the Binational Teacher Exchange Program, a partnership between the Oregon Department of Education and the Mexican Ministry of Education. These educators joined regional Migrant Education Programs across the state, enriching classrooms with their experience, language, and cultural knowledge.
Coming from states such as Hidalgo, Morelos, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, and Puebla, these teachers played a vital role in supporting migrant students from Pre-K to 8th grade in both academic learning and cultural connection.
Here are just a few examples of their incredible contributions:
In Nyssa, Dulce created nurturing and engaging learning environments for Oregon’s youngest learners, helping Pre-K through 5th-grade students build foundational skills while feeling seen and valued.
In Ontario, Francisco and Yumi worked with students from Pre-K to 7th grade, delivering culturally relevant lessons that helped students stay connected to their heritage while growing in confidence and academic ability.
In Multnomah ESD, a team of four binational teachers: Ángel, Nayeli, Hatziry, and Iveth, collaborated across grade levels to design interactive and differentiated instruction for multilingual learners, making learning joyful and accessible for all.
In Columbia Gorge ESD, Yamile not only taught students from Pre-K through 7th grade, but also mentored local educators and provided technical support, ensuring that the binational collaboration had a lasting impact across the region.
These educators brought more than teaching expertise, they offered their hearts, built bridges between cultures, and helped students strengthen their sense of identity and belonging. Their presence uplifted families, supported educators, and demonstrated the power of international collaboration in education.
We are deeply grateful to all the regional programs who participated, to our partners in Mexico, and to the Mexican Consulate in Portland for their unwavering support. Most of all, we thank the teachers themselves: your creativity, commitment, and cultural pride made a lasting difference in the lives of Oregon students.
The Oregon Department of Education looks forward to continuing and expanding the Binational Teacher Exchange Program, reaffirming our shared belief that bilingualism is a strength, cultural identity is a foundation for learning, and every student deserves to thrive.
For more information, please contact Natalia Piar
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4. Oregon Migrant Education Program Partners with Oregon State University and Southern Oregon University to Inspire and Empower Migrant Youth
Oregon Title I-C is proud to partner with Oregon State University and Southern Oregon University to empower migrant youth through transformative educational opportunities. This summer, more than 330 students participated in programs that built leadership skills, explored STEM pathways, and introduced them to college life. At OSU, the Oregon Migrant Leadership Institute served over 140 students through leadership development, mentorship from college students, and hands-on STEM programs including engineering, agriculture, and nanomaterials research. For many, it was their first experience on a college campus and a powerful motivator to dream big. Title I-C also supported 4-H Migrant Summer Camps, which served over 115 students with activities like college and career panels, team-building, and financial aid workshops, helping students stay motivated and embrace their cultural identity. Additionally, Academia Latina at Southern Oregon University provided a week-long residential camp for students in grades 7–12, combining college-style classes and cultural enrichment to boost graduation and college enrollment rates. Together, these programs are helping migrant students see that college dreams are within reach.
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On March 1, 2025, Executive Order 14,244 designated English as the official language of the federal government and revoked prior mandates for language access in federal agencies. While this has caused confusion, K–12 schools and districts are still legally required to provide language assistance under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act and the Every Student Succeeds Act. Education leaders should continue supporting English Learners and ensure compliance with these enduring federal obligations.
Read the full guidance developed by Education Policy Partners to understand what this means for your district.
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2. Billions in School Grants Released Impacting Oregon Programs
The U.S. Department of Education will release more than $5 billion in K–12 grants that had been frozen since July 1. This includes funding for Migrant Education, after‑school and summer programs, and professional development — resources that directly support Oregon students, educators, and families. Local districts had been bracing for program cuts if the delay continued.
For Oregon, the release means schools can move forward with critical initiatives planned for the 2025–26 year, from expanding bilingual support and literacy programs to sustaining summer learning opportunities for migrant students. While educators welcome the news, they remain cautious as some federal education funds are still under review.
🔗 Read the full NPR story
3. MEP Upcoming Change: Results.ed.gov Website to Be Discontinued
The Oregon Department of Education has been informed that Results.ed.gov, the national hub for Migrant Education Program (MEP) resources, reports, and data, will be discontinued, potentially as soon as September 1.
While the Office of Migrant Education (OME) has shared its intention to preserve this content and repost it on ed.gov, it is currently unclear when the new site will be available or which resources will be included.
We strongly encourage all staff and partners to visit Results.ed.gov as soon as possible to download and save any materials critical to your work.
We will continue to share updates as more information becomes available.
Questions about your grant?
Please contact your grant manager:
4. Bilingual Education Outperforms English‑Only, Research Finds
A new Education Week analysis highlights decades of studies showing that bilingual education, especially dual‑language immersion, leads to stronger long‑term academic outcomes for English learners compared to English‑only instruction. Benefits include higher achievement in core subjects, stronger heritage language skills, and increased graduation rates.
The article features insights from University of Oregon professor Ilana Umansky, and highlights how research consistently finds bilingual programs benefit students more than English‑only models.
While English‑only programs may speed up initial language reclassification, research shows bilingual programs ultimately result in more students reaching full proficiency and graduating with regular diplomas. Despite this evidence, most English learners are still placed in English‑only settings due to policy barriers, a shortage of certified bilingual teachers, and inequities in program access.
🔗 Read the full Education Week article
1. Webinar: Bird’s Eye View — Issues Impacting Older Immigrants in 2025
The Trump administration’s recent immigration actions have heightened fear and reduced access to essential services for older immigrants, from health care to legal support. This webinar will provide a high-level overview of the major issues facing older immigrants in 2025, including:
- Who older immigrants are
- Policy developments affecting Medicare, Medicaid, and immigration enforcement
- Guidance and resources for advocates from Justice in Aging and partners
Speakers: Denny Chan, Tiffany Huyenh‑Cho, and Sahar Takshi, Justice in Aging
Closed captioning will be available. The webinar will be recorded for later viewing. For ASL interpretation or accessibility requests, contact trainings@justiceinaging.org at least one week in advance.
🔗 Register here
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2. Guelaguetza en Oregon: A Celebration of Indigenous Oaxacan Cultures
Join us for Guelaguetza en Oregon, a vibrant, family-friendly festival that honors the rich traditions of Oaxaca’s Indigenous communities. This annual event celebrates cultural pride through music, dance, artisan crafts, and delicious regional cuisine, all rooted in the heritage of the Ñuu Savi (Mixtec) and other Indigenous groups from southern Mexico.
Organized by TierrAgua (Ñu’un Nducha), Guelaguetza en Oregon offers a joyful and welcoming space for community connection, cultural preservation, and visibility. The event features live performances representing the eight regions of Oaxaca, traditional Oaxacan foods, handwoven textiles, and storytelling through dance and music. It’s a unique opportunity to experience and support the cultural contributions of Oregon’s Indigenous Mexican communities.
Everyone is welcome! bring your friends and family for a day of celebration, learning, and solidarity!
Event Details: Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025 Time: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Location: Shute Park, 750 SE 8th AVE, Hillsboro, OR
🔗 More information
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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 team is available to support you. Please contact us via email for further information.
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Hector Aguirre, Migrant Education Title IC Specialist
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Diego Contreras-Medrano, Research Analyst
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Jennifer Fontana, Multilingual Education Specialist
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Kelly Kalkofen, English Learner Outcomes Program Education Specialist
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Yuliana Kenfield, Migrant Education Title IC Specialist
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Mary Martinez-Wenzl, Director of Multilingual & Migrant Education Team
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Estephany Membreño, Administrative Specialist II
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Kim Miller, Title III Education Specialist
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Reza Norouzian, Multilingual Education Research Analyst
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Natalia Piar, Multilingual & Migrant Education Team Coordinator
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Baeli Smith, English Learner Outcomes Program Education Specialist
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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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