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Updates from the Oregon Department of Education
News and Resources for Multilingual and Migrant Education
2. Research Spotlight: The Effects of Waiving English Learner Services
3. EducationWeek Article: Teachers Say They Need More Support for English Learners, Survey Finds
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
5. Invitation to the 2026 Virtual MEP Parent Institute!
6. Free Workshops for Families & Educators: Supporting Multilingual Learners
7. Oregon ELPA21 Professional Learning Workshops (Repost)
1. Field Practice Spotlight: Migrant Multnomah ESD Connects with Portland Migratory Families
On October 3, 2025, Multnomah ESD hosted 20 bilingual migratory families from Portland Public Schools for an evening of connection and learning. Dr. Nelly Patiño-Cabrera, MESD’s new Title IC Migrant Education Program Coordinator, was inspired by parents leading discussions and sharing strategies in a supportive, collaborative environment. Statewide Parent Advisory Committee (SPAC) members, including Sra. Claudia Doroteo, actively participated as well.
Families enjoyed interactive activities and expressed excitement about applying new strategies at home. The workshop, led by bilingual educators and Family Engagement Specialist Sonia Galán, featured group discussions and games that encouraged problem-solving and participation.
Early Literacy Specialist Madelene Cardona and Dr. Nelly Patiño-Cabrera also delivered a bilingual literacy and math lesson for young children, “Predicciones y Matemáticas con La casa adormecida,” aligned with standards K.RL.1–2, K.OA.A.1, and ELP.K.1.
The event highlighted the power of family leadership and culturally responsive engagement.
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 Students engaged in a bilingual literacy and math lesson lead by Dr. Nelly Patiño-Cabrera
Note: Oregon has 17 Migrant Education regions that regularly launch bilingual literacy efforts. For more information on serving migratory families contact ODE Migrant Specialists Hector Aguirre and Yuliana Kenfield.
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2. Join our High-Dosage Tutoring Community of Practice
The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) is launching a new Community of Practice in October to support school and district leaders in strengthening high-dosage tutoring (HDT) across the state. Together, participants will build a shared understanding of research-based practices for high-quality tutoring and explore strategies for planning effective programs or selecting approved-provider partners. This is a chance to collaborate, learn and consider impactful practices with literacy leaders across the state. Click here to learn more about the Community of Practice and to register!
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3. Domain Exemptions on ELPA Updated
ODE’s guidance document Domain Exemptions on ELPA has been updated with a section on new procedures for adjusting domain exemptions.
Contact Ben Wolcott, ELPA Specialist, with questions regarding ELPA testing.
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4. MME 2025–26 Planning Resources and Opportunities for Connection
English Language Outcomes & Title III Activities 2025-26
Explore the annual calendar for the English Learner Outcomes Program (ELOP) and Title III Activities, covering July 2025 through August 2026. This resource highlights key activities and milestones to help support thoughtful planning, coordination, and alignment across regions.
Title I-C Office Hours
Join Monthly Title I-C Office Hours, an open and informal space for Migrant Education Program staff to connect, ask questions, and share ideas. These sessions are designed to support those involved in TIC work. Click here to view upcoming dates and register.
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A new Oregon-based study, The Effects of Waiving EL Services, offers the first statewide analysis of how opting out of English Learner (EL) services impacts high school students’ coursework and graduation outcomes. Led by researchers from Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and University of Kansas, and supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the study draws on seven years of ODE data.
Key Insight:
Students who waived EL services in 12th grade had nearly twice the odds of graduating with a regular diploma.
The findings suggest that waiving services may offer students, especially long-term ELs and dually identified learners, greater flexibility in their schedules, which can support engagement and graduation.
Why It Matters:
This research points to the need for more flexible, integrated EL service models in high schools. Oregon’s 2022 Access to Linguistic Inclusion (ALI) law and stronger family engagement efforts may help reduce the need to waive services.
Explore the full study to learn more about the findings and implications for practice.
3. EducationWeek Article: Teachers Say They Need More Support for English Learners, Survey Finds
In Teachers Say They Need More Support for English Learners, Survey Finds, a new EdWeek Research Center survey shows many educators feel unprepared to support English learners, citing gaps in training on translanguaging, family engagement, and personalized instruction. Read the full article by Ileana Najarro and Alex Harwin for insights on challenges and opportunities to ensure equitable learning.
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1. Eligible or Not? IDRC October Monthly Webinar, October 21, 2025
IDRC invites you to its October Monthly Webinar, “Eligible or Not? Test Your Knowledge!” This interactive session will walk participants through a variety of eligibility scenarios from straightforward to complex. You’ll get the chance to weigh in on each case and sharpen your understanding in a collaborative setting. Click here to register for this webinar.
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2. Webinar: Formative Assessment for Multilingual Learners, October 22, 2025
SupportEd invites educators and service providers to the “Formative Assessment for Mulitilingual Learners” webinar. Participants will explore the role of formative assessment in tracking multilingual learners’ progress and supporting their language and content development. The session will highlight a four-step assessment process and showcase real-world classroom applications. Click here to register for this webinar.
3. Training Opportunity: Supporting the Mental Health of Refugee Children & Youth, October 29, 2025
USCRI’s Refugee Youth Resource Center invites you to a free training workshop: “Addressing Mental Health of Refugee Children & Youth.” Learn practical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive strategies to support refugee youth. Open to service providers across resettlement, education, health, and child welfare sectors. Click here to register for this training webinar.
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4. Webinar: Creating Shared Ownership and Collaboration for English Learner Success, November 4, 2025
Join this free professional development session, “Creating Shared Ownership and Collaboration for English Learner Success,” to explore strategies for fostering shared responsibility and cross-role collaboration in support of multilingual learners. Hosted by WCEPS Pathways, this webinar is part of the Tips & Dips Series, a monthly space for educator-driven learning and idea sharing. Click here to register for this webinar.
The Oregon Migrant Education Program Service Center (OMESC) invites MEP parents to the 2026 Virtual Parent Institute on Saturday, January 17, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. This virtual event will offer workshops and discussion spaces to strengthen family engagement and support students’ academic and personal success. The registration deadline is Friday, December 12. For more information and to register, see the details below:
6. Free Workshops for Families & Educators: Supporting Multilingual Learners
Interested in boosting literacy for multilingual learners? Project PLEDGE, in partnership with the Danielson Group and the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), is offering free virtual workshops this fall for educators, parents, and caregivers. These workshops offer practical strategies to support language and literacy development at home and in the classroom. Click here to register and to learn more.
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7. Oregon ELPA21 Professional Learning Workshops (Repost)
Take advantage of this free ELPA21 training opportunity! Each session is limited to 10 participants, and registration will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. These workshops are ideal for anyone in the district who works with English learners, including teachers, paraprofessionals, coaches, and administrators. Click here to view upcoming webinars and to register.
For questions, contact Kelly Kalkofen, English Learner Outcomes Program Education Specialist.
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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Hector Aguirre, Migrant Education Title IC Specialist
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Mirela Blekic, Education Program Specialist, ELL / Bilingual Education
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Diego Contreras-Medrano, Migrant Education 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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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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