2023-2024 Tribal, Heritage, and Dual Language Seed Grants

If you would like to be considered for a dual, heritage, or tribal language grant, you will need to fill out an Intent to Participate form with information on your plans for a new or expanding program including languages, students served, participating buildings, REAP/RLIS eligibility, and whether your program supports a grow-your-own program or teacher academy. The information you provide will help us determine the size of award and which of the iGrants form packages you will be asked to complete. All districts (or STEC or charter schools) that demonstrate readiness to implement programs will be eligible for funding which will range from $30,000 to $100,000.

Please complete this Intent to Participate form by July 31. For questions, please contact Ema Shirk for dual and heritage language grants and Kayla Guyett for tribal language grants.

The next information sessions will be held on:

• August 10 at 9:00–10:00 am | Add to Calendar
• August 10 at 3:00–4:00 pm | Add to Calendar 

Add sessions to calendar: AM Session (9-10 am) | PM Session (3-4 pm)

2023-24 Info Session Dates: Sept. 7, Oct. 5, Nov. 2, Dec. 7, Jan. 4, Feb. 1, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, May 2, & June 6.

For previous resources please go to the Multilingual Education Webinars and Newsletters page.

TBIP Grant now open in EGMS!

Grants in EGMS this year include CGA (includes Title III), Title III Consortium, and TBIP. The TBIP grant application (Form Package 219) for 2023-24 is now open in EGMS and is due August 1. 

This year’s Grant Webinar focused on how to create and submit a successful TBIP and Title III Grant application in EGMS. We also touched on how to evaluate the program and plan for improvements.

• Title III, TBIP Grants, & Program Evaluation Webinar Slides | Recording
• Multilingual Learner Program Evaluation template – (NEW!) used to
  conduct annual program evaluation and create district/school
  continuous improvement plans
• Multilingual Learner School Plan template – (NEW!) used to plan specific
  strategies to support MLs in reaching school improvement goals

Updates and Reminders

New guidance for educators and administrators implementing the WIDA ELD Standards Framework

WIDA recently launched two new implementation guides to support educators and administrators as they implement the WIDA ELD Standards Framework.

• The WIDA ELD Standards Framework Implementation Guide is designed specifically for classroom teachers and instructional leaders, as well as other professionals who work with multilingual learners. It includes guidance about planning for language development in units and lessons, sample resources, and ideas for what implementation of the Framework could look like in practice.

• This guide is accompanied by an Administrator Supplement that focuses on programmatic aspects of systemic ELD standards implementation for school and district administrators.

New Focus Bulletin: Rating Multilingual Learners’ Written Language Consistently

This new Focus Bulletin explores the process of evaluating student writing and examines how educators can consistently evaluate the written language of multilingual learners. It provides strategies for educators to support evaluations that generate focused and helpful feedback for students.

Reminder: 2023-2024 WIDA Screener Online Administration Opens

The 2023-24 administration of WIDA Screener Online will open in WIDA AMS on Friday, June 30. Permissions for the new WIDA Screener administration will be assigned to existing users prior to this date. Reminder: The screening window does not open until August 1, 2023 in Washington State.

Additionally, please note:

• New applications for Import, Student, and Test Management will be available on June 30. Read Get ready for 2023-24 updates to WIDA AMS and DRC INSIGHT for more information.

•  Reports for the 2023-24 testing year will be available in the new Reporting Services application, beginning June 30. Reports for 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 can be found in WIDA AMS under My Applications > Report Delivery.

•  Beginning with the 2023-24 testing year, DRC will house only the current year plus the two previous years’ score reports in WIDA AMS. If your district needs score reports for WIDA Screener Online or ACCESS for ELLs for the 2020-21 testing year or earlier, download your reports before June 30.

For questions related to WIDA AMS, please contact DRC Customer Service at wida@datarecognitioncorp.com or (855) 787-9615.

Please note: This maintenance will not impact the WIDA Secure Portal, which can be reached directly at portal.wida.us.

During the summer of 2023, the Seal of Biliteracy (WAC 392-420-350) will undergo a rules revision with the goal of recognizing students who achieve a higher level of proficiency as well as expanding the options for students to show proficiency. 

OSPI is looking to fill stakeholder groups to give feedback based on different perspectives of language education. These groups include, but are not limited to:

• MS/HS World Language Education
• MS/HS Dual/Heritage Language or Bilingual Education
• MS/HS/District Administration (Department Head, Subject Area Coordinator, Director, TOSA, etc.)
• Special Education
• American Sign Language
• Less Commonly Taught/Tested Languages
• Career and Technical Education (CTE)
• Assessment/Reporting
• Alternative Learning Experiences/Options
• Other

Please fill out the Seal of Biliteracy Rules Revision - Special Group Member Interest Survey. Those interested must provide proof of experience or credentials. Selected participants will be notified after the survey closes on July 1, 2023. 

SeattleU - English Language Learners Endorsement Academy

Seattle University’s College of Education offers an online English Language Learner (ELL) endorsement academy for Washington state teachers.

Designed for K-12 teachers to meet the needs of today’s students, our online ELL academy provides coursework and classroom experience to prepare teachers to achieve their ELL endorsement.

• Date: September 11, 2023
• Duration: Intensive 9-month program with 24 credits
• Enrollment: Email e-academy@seattleu.edu for course application.

Gonzaga University Certificate in English Language Learning

This program is designed for educators in all subjects. In-person attendance is required for the Summer 2023 program and is encouraged, but not required, for all other synchronous classes.

• Cost: $7,900/per person if 4 or more individuals are enrolled from one district; otherwise, the cost is $8,900 per person
• Course Capacity: 12 students
• Duration: ~1.5 years, starting July 2023 and ending December 2024 
• Credits: 14 CE credits
• To ensure that the time of the courses does not conflict with educators’ work hours, we have changed the time of courses during the school year to begin at 4:30 PM. Please find an updated course schedule HERE.

Enrollment: Email CLL@gonzaga.edu to request a spot in the program. Spots will be provided a on first-come, first-serve basis, and a waitlist will be created.

For more information, visit their Center for Lifelong Learning website. 

2023 WASA/OSPI Special Education Directors Preconference and MTSS Fest

Registration is now open! 

Preconference themes include Preschool Transitions, Inclusionary Practices, Staffing and Leadership, Fiscal and Budget, and Student and Family Engagement. MTSS Fest will focus on Data, Implementation, Mindset Change, Interventions, and Cascading Supports. Check the WASA webpage for additional information.

• When & Where: This integrated event will be held in person on August 2-4, 2023, at the Three Rivers Convention Center in the Tri-Cities.
• Register here for the Special Education Directors Preconference
• Register here for MTSS Fest

Questions: Reach out to lgehman@wasa-oly.org with registration questions. You can also reach out to kfry@wasa-oly.org with any other event questions.

The Center for Professional Learning's Summer Course Schedule

For Educators who work with newcomers and other (im)migrant students and families. PESB-approved provider. 

CPL Summer Courses

Original Refugee Educator Foundations of Practice (REFP) course for K-12 educators, designed in collaboration with educators from around the United States, is open to all school-based staff, including classroom teachers, counselors, office/support staff, and specialists. Participants can earn up to 45 clock hours/CEUs and an optional 4.5 credits from UCSD Extension.

Date: July 9 - August 26 | Cost: $350 | Register here.

NEW! Refugee Educator Foundations of Practice (REFP) course for Instructional Coaches, Mentors, Principals, and other Education Leaders. Participants can earn up to 60 clock hours/CEUs and an optional 6 credits from UCSD Extension.

Date: July 9 - August 26 | Cost: $500 | Register here.

2023 WAESOL Annual Conference

Register for the Conference by October 1st for best pricing! 

WAESOL is again distributing $2,500 in grants and awards at the 2023 Annual Conference on October 21st, 2023. In addition to the grants and awards, WAESOL also has 10 conference scholarships available to attend the 48th Annual Conference. 

To submit an award nomination or apply for a grant or scholarship, you need to be a current member of WAESOL. Visit the Membership page of the WAESOL website to become a member or renew your membership.

Apply for...

• a WAESOL Professional Development Grant ($500)
• one of two WAESOL Project Funding Grants  ($500)
• a 2023 WAESOL Conference Scholarship (to cover conference registration fees)

Nominate a colleague for...

• the Sally Wellman Excellence in Teaching Award ($500) (recipient does not need to be a member of WAESOL)
• the WAESOL Outstanding Volunteer Award ($500) (recipient does not need to be a member of WAESOL)

 Application deadline: September 17, 2023 | Winners will be notified by October 1st.

WIDA Annual Conference 2023

Registration is now open!

The WIDA Annual Conference is the premier event for educators of Pre-K through grade 12 multilingual learners, giving educators from around the globe the opportunity to share best practices and discover innovative classroom strategies. A curated virtual option will also be available on October 18 that includes a sampling of sessions from the in-person conference. For more information, visit their website.

Dates: October 17-20, 2023

Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.