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Updates from the Oregon Department of Education
1. Launching the 2026 Binational Teacher Exchange Program!
2. Thank You, Maricruz, for Your Lasting Legacy in Migrant Education
News and Resources for Multilingual and Migrant Education
1. Hillsboro School District Leader Olga Acuña Receives Statewide Recognition
2. National Farmworker Awareness Week (March 25–31, 2026)
3. IDEA Summer Virtual Programs for Title I, Part C Students
4. Preparing for ICE Presence in U.S. Airports: Multilingual Resources
5. Explore NCELA Toolkits for Supporting English Learners
6. Fact Sheets: Understanding Key Trends in English Learner Support
Upcoming Events, Training & Conference Opportunities
1. Launching the 2026 Binational Teacher Exchange Program!
We are excited to welcome the 2026 cohort of 17 exceptional visiting teachers from Mexico, each recognized for their excellence and dedication to culturally sustaining education. This summer, these educators will join districts and Migrant Education Program sites across Oregon, bringing their expertise and their superpowers to uplift migrant students and families.
Throughout their 3–8‑week placements, the visiting teachers will help create joyful, identity‑affirming learning spaces where students can celebrate their culture, language, and lived experiences. Their presence strengthens cross‑cultural understanding, enriches instruction, and deepens family engagement statewide. Click here to meet the teachers and feel the energy of the program!
We look forward to a meaningful and successful summer of learning, connection, and celebration across Oregon as we welcome this outstanding group of educators.
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2. Thank You, Maricruz, for Your Lasting Legacy in Migrant Education
On behalf of our Migrant Education Program (MEP), we are honored to share this message recognizing the retirement of Maricruz, our Region 16 MEP Liaison of more than 20 years. This moment is deeply meaningful not only to Maricruz, but to our entire MEP community.
Maricruz has dedicated more than 20 years to serving migrant students and families with unwavering commitment and heart. As a migrant child herself, she traveled with her family from Texas to Oregon following the harvest, an experience that shaped her deep understanding of the challenges many of our students face.
Throughout her career, Maricruz has been a pillar in her community, offering compassionate, selfless service to countless students and families. Over the years there have been many changes and challenges, yet one constant has remained—her steadfast dedication to supporting and uplifting migrant students.
Her impact will be felt for generations, and her legacy of service will continue to inspire us all. We thank Maricruz for her incredible contributions and wish her a joyful and well-deserved retirement.
3. ELPA Windows Close in April
The test window for the in-person and remote English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Summative test, and the Alt ELPA, closes at the end of the day on 4/10/26.
Please contact Ben Wolcott, ELPA Specialist, with questions regarding ELPA testing.
As scores for the 2025-26 English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Summative become available, districts may see some students scoring Early Proficient. Districts are required to contact families of students who score Early Proficient; the family makes the final decision as to whether the student remains in or exits English learner (EL) status.
Early Proficient results do not appear on unofficial reports appearing in the Centralized Reporting System (CRS). Early Proficient is only indicated on official ODE score reports and data downloads, such as those retrieved from Secure Assessment Reports (SAR) or Accountability Warehouse Extracts (AWE).
Consult Early Proficient Policy and Resources (located in the Guidance accordion of the ELP Assessment page) for details on how to confirm Early Proficient results and required family contact activities.
Contact Ben Wolcott, ELPA Specialist, with questions regarding ELPA testing.
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ODE discovered an error with the first batch of official English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Summative score reports and data downloads (as found in official ODE data applications such as Secure Assessment Reports and Accountability Warehouse Extracts). This error had two effects.
A. Individual domain scores were not reported for some students.
B. Early Proficient results were not reported for some students.
Error (A) has been corrected and official ODE score reports and data downloads should now correctly display individual domain scores.
Work is ongoing for error (B). An article will be published in the A&A Update confirming that the error is corrected.
There are no false Early Proficient results in ODE data systems; districts may act with confidence on reports that confirm an Early Proficient result. When error (B) is corrected, districts should check previous batches to ensure they did not miss any Early Proficient results in previous batches. Correcting error (B) will not change any domain scores. It will only cause the Early Proficient code to correctly appear in the ApprchngProfCd field. The ApprchngProfCd field is located in column ‘EX’ of the Accountability Warehouse Extract file.
Contact Ben Wolcott, ELPA Specialist, with questions regarding ELPA testing.
1. Hillsboro School District Leader Olga Acuña Receives Statewide Recognition
Olga Acuña, executive director of federal programs for the Hillsboro School District, has been awarded the 2026 Lau Leadership Impact Award for her decades of leadership supporting multilingual students and their families. Presented by the Oregon Association of Central Office Administrators, the honor recognizes her lasting impact on equity, family engagement, and bilingual education across Oregon. Click here to learn more about Olga Acuña’s remarkable leadership and the impact of her work across Oregon.
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2. National Farmworker Awareness Week (March 25–31, 2026)
We recognize National Farmworker Awareness Week (NFAW) as an opportunity to honor the essential contributions of farmworkers in Oregon and across the nation. Farmworkers help feed the world—approximately 85% of fresh fruits and vegetables in the United States are hand-harvested, and an estimated 2.5 to 3 million individuals work in agriculture nationwide (Association of Farmworker Opportunity Programs, AFOP).
This week also provides an opportunity to acknowledge the realities many farmworker families face. Agricultural work is consistently identified as one of the most hazardous occupations in the country, with higher exposure to extreme heat, pesticides, and other health risks compared to many other industries (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH). In addition, historical gaps in labor protections continue to impact farmworkers’ access to equitable working conditions (U.S. Department of Labor).
We remain committed to supporting migrant students by expanding access to educational opportunities, high quality services, and community resources. Recognizing the vital role of farmworkers is an important step toward advancing dignity, safety, and equity for the communities we serve.
To support this effort, the Farmworker Awareness Week Toolkit, developed by the Equitable Food Initiative, provides ready-to-use messaging and resources to help elevate farmworker voices and highlight their essential role as the root of our food supply chain.
3. IDEA Summer Virtual Programs for Title I, Part C Students
IDEA is offering two virtual summer opportunities for Title I, Part C programs. High school students may participate in the National High School Leadership Institute, an interactive one- or two-week program focused on leadership, career readiness, and collaboration. Students in grades K–8 can enroll in IDEA’s Summer Reads, a flexible online reading program designed for children of mobile farmworkers. Space is limited for both programs, and students must have access to a device and internet. Registration is open through May.
For questions, contact information@ideadvancement.org or 931‑273‑4050.
4. Preparing for ICE Presence in U.S. Airports: Multilingual Resources
The Vermont Language Justice Project (VLJP) has developed a collection of translated video resources covering a wide range of topics to support multilingual communities. One of their most recent projects provides guidance on how to prepare for a possible ICE detention or arrest.
While the initial version of this project was designed for individuals in Vermont, the updated version linked below has been adapted to be relevant for audiences across the United States. The video series is currently available in 13 languages.
6 Tips to Prepare for ICE Presence in US Airports
- Turn off the biometrics on your phone or power your phone down while going through security;
- Print Paper Boarding Passes;
- Decline to participate in biometric/face scans if you are a US citizen;
- Take steps to make encrypted chats on apps like Signal or WhatsApp more secure;
- Take precaution around the airport including if you are a ride share driver (uber, lyft or taxis);
- Discuss an emergency plan with your travel group and have emergency contact numbers written down.
Direct Links by Language
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5. Explore NCELA Toolkits for Supporting English Learners
Looking for ready-to-use resources to better support English learners and their families? The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) offers three helpful toolkits designed to promote strong, inclusive learning experiences: the Family Toolkit, English Learner Toolkit, and Newcomer Toolkit. Each toolkit includes practical guidance and resources and is available for download on NCELA’s website.
6. Fact Sheets: Understanding Key Trends in English Learner Support
How are states supporting English learners and where are the biggest challenges? The Teacher Projections for English Learners and Dual Language Programs Supported by Title III and English Learner Enrollment Trends by NCELA offer a clear, data‑driven look at both staffing and program implementation. One examines 5‑year state projections for EL teachers, highlighting widespread shortages and variation in how states define and plan for staffing needs. The other explores Title III‑supported Dual Language Programs, including program types, state participation rates, and the most common languages served. Together, these resources provide a concise snapshot of national trends shaping English learner services.
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1. PODER Statewide Town Hall, April 15, 2026
PODER will be hosting a virtual town hall on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 12:00–1:00 PM, featuring Oregon State Representative Lesly Muñoz. Rep. Muñoz will share updates from the current legislative session and discuss issues affecting communities across Oregon, including housing, education, and cost of living. The event will be held via Zoom, and no registration is required.
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2. I Am An American Live: Stories of Exclusion and Belonging, May 16, 2026
I Am An American Live is a free, live performance celebrating identity, resilience, and belonging through personal stories from the Asian American experience. Presented by The Immigrant Story in collaboration with The Patricia Reser Center for the Arts, the event takes place on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Beaverton, Oregon, and features storytelling, music, and an original performance by Talilo Marfil, 2026 Fields Artist Fellow. Click here to learn more about this event and to register.
Content Advisory: Some personal stories shared during this performance touch on difficult experiences. Audience members are encouraged to engage in the way that feels most comfortable for them.
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3. IDRC Virtual Summer Recruitment Institute, May 18-22,2026
Join the IDRC Virtual Summer Recruitment Institute for a flexible, engaging learning experience designed to support program recruiters and staff at every level. Daily sessions cover essential topics like ID&R, safety, practical tools and resources, scenario‑based learning, and strong partner collaboration. Participants can choose the sessions that best meet their interests and needs. All sessions are free and will not be recorded. Click here to register.
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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.
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Hector Aguirre, Migrant Education Title IC Specialist
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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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Myrna Muñoz, English Learner Outcomes Program 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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Marisol Rodriguez, Administrative Specialist II
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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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