The Multilingual Education Program bulletin will be back on January 5, 2024. Enjoy your break!
Our monthly information sessions include professional learning for district leaders of multilingual learner programs as well as timely information with clock hours provided! Sign up here on pdEnroller.
Our last session on December 7 focused on WIDA ACCESS and instruction based on these data. Please see the recording and slides here. The next session will focus on Early Literacy for MLs and will be held on:
2023-24 Info Session Dates & Topics: Feb. 1: Inclusionary Practices, Mar. 7: Braided Funding, Apr. 4: Long-Term ELs, May 2: Program Evaluation, & June 6: Using Assessment.
Add sessions to calendar: AM Session (9-10 am) | PM Session (3-4 pm)
For previous resources please go to the Multilingual Education Webinars and Newsletters page.
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OSPI has just published a new Dual Language Program Guide that includes 7 steps for designing and implementing dual language programs for multilingual learners. Each step will be unpacked in our monthly Dual Language Webinar Series. We hope this new guidance will be valuable for districts and schools and help us meet the goal of Dual Language for All by 2040!
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Many districts have been asking about how OSPI calculated the “Expected Progress” measures for the Washington School Improvement Framework. These measures are based on the average progress for all 1st-12th grade students who made positive growth on the WIDA ACCESS test from 2022 to 2023. Only students with scores in both years were included. These data were used to determine reasonable progress for each starting level which decreases as students reach higher levels. A few targets were adjusted by no more than .1 to ensure that any student starting at any level would be able to reach proficiency within 6 years as required by ESSA.
You can download the Multilingual Learner Expected Progress chart to use for setting student growth goals and examining your student data in relation to these targets. For WSIF purposes, progress will be recalculated each year based on the previous year only using the YR0 to YR1 targets. This ensures equitable annual growth targets for Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) and for students with high mobility.
For additional questions about how the growth model was determined, contact Kristin Percy Calaff. For questions about the underlying data, including which students were included in the calculation and the underlying score data, contact assessmentanalysts@k12.wa.us.
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The new Washington State Multilingual Learner Statewide Strategic Plan has just been published and is now available to download. This plan was developed by the Multilingual Education Advisory Committee over two years with input from students, educators, families, and community members through interviews, surveys, and listening sessions. We hope that schools and districts will use this visionary document to develop their own local action plans and school improvement plans that center on supporting the success of all multilingual learners. For questions about the plan, please contact Kristin Percy Calaff.
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This free workshop series of six sessions is open to all Washington State K–12 educators interested in integrating Media Literacy & Digital Citizenship instruction into school or district curriculum with nationally-recognized speakers and time to engage with colleagues on aligning to existing initiatives and inclusive practices.
Sessions will be held on Zoom on 6 Thursdays, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., from December 7 to May 2. Register on pdEnroller or contact Lesley James at lesley.james@k12.wa.us for more information.
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Please find attached the letter from Secretary Cardona to families, educators, and leaders to share resources for English Learner students. This letter and the following resources were unveiled during the recent “Being Bilingual is a Superpower” event. Please share these resources with your colleagues.
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LLRNs are professional learning communities of school and district language learning leaders in each Educational Service District (ESD) who meet regularly to engage in professional learning, collaboration, and program improvement planning. Click on the pdEnroller links below for a full list of dates and to register for a LLRN.
Region Program Supervisor: Katie Sperling
Region Program Supervisor: Virginia Morales
Region Program Supervisor: Shannon Martin
Region Program Supervisor: Lindsey Maehlum
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ACCESS Test Preparation for Students
Find test preparation resources for ACCESS Online and ACCESS Paper on the ACCESS Test Practice and Sample Items webpage. On the page, you’ll find things like sample items for ACCESS Online, ACCESS Paper and the ACCESS braille accommodation, as well as resources to help prepare students for testing with test demos and test practice items.
A word from WIDA: Before your students take ACCESS Online, make sure you and your students are familiar with the new look and feel of the DRC INSIGHT Secure Student Browser. Review the resources on the ACCESS Test Practice and Sample Items webpage to ensure that students are ready to show all that they can do on the assessment. Learn more by watching DRC Technical Enhancements for 2023-2024, a recorded webinar in the WIDA Secure Portal.
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Updated Focus Bulletin on identifying multilingual learners with Specific Learning Disabilities
We recently updated a Focus Bulletin originally published in 2017. The bulletin, Identifying Multilingual Learners with Specific Learning Disabilities: Data, Advice, and Resources for School Teams, offers expert advice, data templates, common scenarios and resources for identifying K-12 multilingual learners for Specific Learning Disabilities. This updated version includes data on 2020-2021 identification rates, and additional advice, templates, scenarios, and resources.
New WIDA Snapshot Helps Educators Use WIDA Proficiency Level Descriptors
You asked and we listened! Educators have been wanting more explicit direction on how the Proficiency Level Descriptors of the WIDA ELD Standards Framework can be utilized to improve instruction for multilingual learners. This WIDA Snapshot on Proficiency Level Descriptors gives K-12 educators ideas on how to apply them as they consider scaffolding practices that support multilingual students in meeting grade level content learning goals.
WIDA Español Academy: Afirmando la experiencia bilingüe con el Marco DALE
WIDA Español is hosting a two-day academy in Albuquerque, New Mexico on March 5-6, 2024, to support your implementation of el Marco de los estándares del desarrollo auténtico del lenguaje español de WIDA (Marco DALE). This academy focuses on validating and uplifting the bilingual experience and includes a local school visit to observe pedagogical foundations like multiliteracies and transculturalism in action within a dual language bilingual education program. This academy will be delivered in Spanish. Learn more and register for the WIDA Español Academy today!
Brand-new ‘What is WIDA Alternate ACCESS?’ handout is available
There’s a brand-new handout hot off the WIDA presses: What is WIDA Alternate ACCESS? Available in multiple languages, this new handout is a resource educators can send home with students to give families an introduction to Alternate ACCESS. The handout explains what Alternate ACCESS is and why students take this kind of assessment. Find the handout and related resources on the Family Engagement page.
Domain Exemptions & Accommodations
Domain Exemption is the term we use to allow students to not test in a specific domain of language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) due to a disability associated with that domain. This 13-minute video will provide IEP teams with guidance on making the decision around exempting a student from a language domain during ELP assessments. This module provides criteria for decision-making as well as example scenarios.
This 19-minute webinar is designed to support IEP teams as they make decisions around accessibility on the WIDA annual assessments. These videos can also be found on the ELP Trainings, Modules, and Presentations webpage.
The Zoom at Noon: Lunch with Leslie
Lunch with Leslie is an opportunity on Mondays at noon for districts to hear updates from the OSPI Assessment Team, ask questions about WIDA assessments, or find out how other districts are approaching testing processes.
The next Lunch with Leslie will be held on:
Monday, December 18 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Zoom
December 25 & January 1: Holiday (No Lunch with Leslie)
January 2: First Lunch with Leslie (on a Tuesday) with a new link through July: Zoom
TBIP, OSSI EGMS Office Hours: Drop in support for Title III and TBIP grants.
- Tuesdays | 10-11 am | Zoom
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Thursdays | 1-2 pm | Zoom
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Update Your CEDARS Data on Multilingual Learners
Many districts have not yet reported the screener data from Fall 2023 to CEDARS and/or have errors on the Possibly Eligible Not Reported (PENR) in EDS – LEP Application.
- Check your PENR and student rosters ASAP to make sure all eligible students are accurately reported.
- Please note that CEDARS must have updated and accurate information on ALL identified MLs by early December.
- The December data pull will determine the testing kits and materials order for the WIDA ACCESS.
- Please use this guide to help understand and clear common CEDARS errors
Upcoming Professional Learning
Dual Language Webinar Series: Developing Strong DL Programs: In this webinar series we will explore how to develop strong, sustainable dual language programs. Each session will explore one of the steps in planning a new dual language program or strengthening an existing one. Our next session will focus on developing a strong program model.
Tuesday, January 9 | 3:00-4:00 PM | Zoom
Dual Language “Lunch with Leaders” PLC: Join your colleagues for this PLC to discuss problems of practice in developing and leading strong dual language programs.
Tuesday, January 16 | 12:00-1:00 PM | Zoom
HL & Less-Commonly Taught Languages (LCTL) Educator PLC: Planning with Purpose: In this monthly PLC, heritage language educators and educators teaching LCTLs in all contexts will collaborate across the state to plan and reflect on units of study. In October, November, and December we will be working on identity/ autobiography-based units.
Tuesday, January 23 | 3:00-4:30 PM | Zoom
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These professional learning opportunities are shared for your information but do not constitute an endorsement by OSPI of any specific organizations.
The Washington Association for Bilingual Education is thrilled to invite you to join us as at the 2024 WABE Dual Language Institute! We are thrilled to offer featured sessions from Rosa Molina, Dr. Cristina Alfaro, and more at the Institute!
January 25-27, 2023 | SeaTac DoubleTree | More information and registration!
We will be joined by a fantastic line up of speakers to discuss dual language education!
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Co-Planning and Co-Teaching for Multilingual Learners
EQUITY Clock Hours: 12.5 | Cost $200.00
This training will focus on supporting ML teachers and specialists and K-12 teachers in collaboratively planning together to support multilingual learners using Co-Planning: Five Essential Practices to Integrate Curriculum and Instruction for English Learners by Andrea Honigsfeld and Maria Dove.
January 16 3:30 PM - March 5 2024 6:00 PM | More information and registration! Registration ends January 14, 2024!
Climate Science: Voices of Hope
3-Day Immersion Class "OCDE Project GLAD®” Unit
STEM Clock Hours: 18 | Cost $575.00
Come to this BRAND-NEW 3-day class offering and leave with NTC Project GLAD® unit including science investigations and all the materials to teach this unit designed for 4th - 8th grade classrooms.
NWESD - Anacortes, WA | January 9-11, 2024 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | More information and registration! Registration ends January 6, 2024!
Questions about January training? Contact Heidi Lamere.
PSESD - Renton, WA | February 27-29, 2024 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM | More information and registration! Registration ends February 23, 2024!
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The University of Washington, College of Education, Seattle, is recruiting for the position of Assistant Teaching Professor in Multilingual Education. This is a non-tenure track position to support Bilingual, World Languages, and ELL instruction. Interested candidates can review this job description for information on how to apply. |
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 Kristin Percy Calaff, Ph.D. – Executive Director of Multilingual & Migrant Education | 564-999-3144
Virginia Morales– Supporting ESD 121 (King) & 189 | Assistant Director of Multilingual Education | 564-669-1179
Shannon Martin– Supporting ESD 113, 114, & 121 (Pierce) | Multilingual Education Program Supervisor | 360-269-5232
Katie Sperling– Supporting ESD 101 & 171 | Multilingual Education Program Supervisor | 360 -701-5064
Lindsey Maehlum– Supporting ESD 105, 112, & 123 | Multilingual Education Program Supervisor
Ema Shirk– Supporting Heritage and Dual Language Programs | Dual Language Program Supervisor | 564-200-3167
Teresa Mendoza-Casby– Supporting Dual Language Programs | Dual Language Program Supervisor | 564-999-0610
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