News Archive: 2006
April 2006
New Professional Development Offerings from NEEAC
NEEAC offers trainings based on recent publications developed in collaboration with the Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory (2000–2005): Approaches to Writing Instruction for Adolescent English Language Learners 
; Leading with Diversity: Cultural Competencies for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development ; and The Teacher's Guide to Diversity: Building a Knowledge Base . To learn more about NEEAC services and how to request assistance, see Our Work.
MATSOL's Bilingual Special Education Special Interest Group
The Bilingual Special Education Special Interest Group is made up of educators from Massachusetts and Rhode Island who are interested in learning and sharing research-based practice to ensure that ELLs with special needs receive appropriate assessments, identification and instruction. NEEAC staff provide support and consultation to the group, which is part of the Massachusetts Association of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages (MATSOL). For more information, visit the MATSOL website .
U.S. Department of Education funding for Migrant Education Even Start (MEES) Family Literacy Program
MEES Family Literacy program grants are intended to improve the lives of migratory agricultural or fishing families through the integration of early childhood education, adult literacy or adult basic education, and parenting education. State educational agencies, local educational agencies, nonprofit community-based organizations, and faith-based organizations are eligible for funding under this program.
May 2006
NEEAC & CHILDSPAN hold bilingual workshops for RI daycare and after-school providers
In May and June of 2006, NEEAC worked with CHILDSPAN to offer three workshops on bullying and teasing to daycare and after-school childcare providers in Rhode Island. CHILDSPAN is a non-profit organization funded by the Rhode Island Departments of Human Services and Education to meet the professional development needs of persons serving children from birth through age 16. Because many of these providers speak Spanish as their first language, bilingual NEEAC staff led two of the workshops.
OELA's FLAP Grants
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) administers Foreign Language Assistance Program grants for LEAs and SEAs. These grants pay the Federal share of the cost of innovative model programs for the establishment, improvement, or expansion of foreign language study for elementary and secondary school students. For more information on the FLAP program, visit the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition website .
Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshops offered by U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Education sponsored 14 workshops across the country this summer as part of its Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative. Several workshops cover the entire range of subjects taught in elementary and secondary schools; others focus specifically on math, science, history, teaching foreign languages, or teaching reading and ESL. Registration was free and teachers received professional development credit for attending. For more information, visit the Teacher-to-Teacher website .
Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth to be published this month
The National Literacy Panel (NLP) on Language-Minority Children and Youth published its full report, Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners , this month. Convened by the Center for Applied Linguistics and SRI International and funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the NLP began work in 2002 to identify, assess, and synthesize research on the education and literacy attainment of language-minority children and youth.
June 2006
NEEAC collaborates to address issues of English language learners (ELLs) and special education
NEEAC staff began working with the Connecticut Administrators of Programs for ELLs (CAPELL) as the group revises its guidelines for identifying and assessing ELLs with disabilities. In Vermont, NEEAC in collaboration with the Vermont Department of Education and the Northeast Regional Resource Center (NERRC) worked with various local school districts and institutions of higher learning to develop guidelines and share resources for addressing the identification and assessment process of ELLs experiencing learning difficulties. Finally, NEEAC facilitated a study group of teachers from the EDCO Collaborative in Massachusetts who were interested in learning to differentiate ELLs' special needs from disabilities.
NEEAC offers Magnet School Grants workshop
A new round of Magnet School Assistance Programs (MSAP) competitive grants are expected. To help interested districts prepare for this competition and write a winning proposal, NEEAC offered a technical assistance workshop on June 16, 2006. The Magnet School Assistance Program awards grants to districts to establish and operate magnet schools. These highly sought after grants can help schools meet NCLB academic achievement goals while increasing racial diversity. Grant funds may be used for professional development, curriculum development, and the purchase of equipment and supplies.
NEEAC teaches MAT students at Quinnipiac University in CT
This month, NEEAC staff led a workshop for students in the Master of Arts in Teaching Program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. The students worked with other students in classrooms during the following year. The workshop addressed bullying in schools and what teachers can do to prevent it.
July 2006
NEEAC staff present at conference
Randy Ross and Erica Kenney presented at the annual conference of the Association for Gender Equity Leadership in Education (AGELE) on July 29–August 1, 2006 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their session addressed how to conduct a school district equity needs assessment. For more information, visit the AGELE website .
HIGHLIGHTED RESOURCES FOR ELL INSTRUCTION, CROSS-CULTURAL AWARENESS
NCELA's "In the Classroom" Toolkit
Developed by the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA), the "In the Classroom" Toolkit makes research-based lessons, activities, and curriculum accessible to teachers of English language learners (ELLs), whether in bilingual education, ESL, or English-only settings. The K–6/Elementary section of the kit has been updated to include information and strategies on oral language development.
ESCORT's "Help! Kit: A Resource Guide for Secondary Teachers of Migrant ELLs"
For teachers of middle and high school migrant students, the Help! Kit is a resource guide that provides information to teachers who are seeking practical, research-based advice on how they can more effectively teach, evaluate, and nurture their limited English proficient (LEP) migrant students.
"A Foot in Both Places" multimedia online toolkit for addressing anti-Arab racism
Created by the American Friends Service Committee, "A Foot in Both Places" is an online interactive educational toolkit that addresses issues of civil rights and civil liberties, immigrant rights, religious pluralism, peace education, anti-Arab racism, and Islamophobia. The heart of the toolkit is a collection of 25 interviews with community activists in Arab, South Asian, Muslim, and human rights/immigrant rights organizations. Also included is a photo gallery, educational games, a page of resources and links, and a facilitator's guide with suggestions on using the toolkit.
August 2006
NEEAC teams with MADOE to develop sheltered English immersion training
In August 2006, NEEAC and the Massachusetts Department of Education (MADOE) staff piloted a professional development session for Massachusetts teachers on "Making the Connection: ELLs and Subject Matter Texts: A Professional Development Curriculum Aligned with Category 4: Reading and Writing in Sheltered Content Classrooms." Forty-five teachers from 21 districts across the state participated in this 2-day "training of trainers" session. Upon completion, participants were certified by the MADOE to conduct trainings at the request of districts. The session content and materials were co-developed by NEEAC and MADOE staff and addressed the skills secondary content-area teachers need to support English language learners' reading and writing in their classrooms.
NEEAC presents at Magnet Schools of America Conference
On August 15, 2006 in Washington, D.C., NEEAC staff presented the "Eight Domains of Educational Equity" to attendees at the Magnet Schools of America's National Technical Assistance Conference on "Writing the Next Magnet School Assistance Program Grant Application (2007–2010)." Afterwards, many participants expressed their feeling that NEEAC's presentation offered information that would be very helpful as they prepared applications.
NEEAC conducts teacher trainings in Massachusetts
On August 1–3, 2006, the Massachusetts Department of Education and NEEAC initiated the pilot program for "Making the Connection: English Language Learners and Subject Matter Texts—Professional Development Curriculum for Secondary Content Are Teachers Aligned with Category 4: Reading and Writing in Sheltered Content Classrooms." Forty-three participants were selected from 20 districts. On August 17–18, 2006, NEEAC staff delivered a training for 31 teachers and administrators on "Assisting English Learners: Developing a Framework for Differentiating Learning Differences from Disabilities" for the The Education Cooperative (TEC) in Dedham, Massachusetts.
U.S. Department of Education creates partnership with states to improve accountability for LEP students
The U.S. Department of Education launched a new effort to partner with states to enable schools to more accurately measure the progress of Limited English Proficient (LEP) students. The department convened state teams and national experts to address the challenges of developing high-quality assessments for LEP students. This effort seeks to improve accommodations as well as content area assessments for LEP students in reading and math.
U.S. Census Bureau figures show growth of minority populations
Data from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey conducted in 2005 shows that the percentage of minority populations has increased since 2000 in every state except West Virginia. Hispanics are the nations largest minority group at 14.5% of the population, while blacks make up 12.8%. The survey also found that over 35 million people, or 12.4% of the total U.S. population, are foreign-born.
September 2006
US ED releases final regulations for LEP students
The U.S. Department of Education has released final regulations for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. The new Title I Regulation gives states and local school districts greater flexibility on assessment while continuing to hold them accountable under No Child Left Behind. When calculating yearly progress, states may leave out the math and reading test scores of LEP students who have been in U.S. schools for less than one year.
NEEAC receives good partner award from NH Partners in Education
NEEAC received a Gold Circle Achievement Award for its work in New Hampshire over the past year. The award, given by the New Hampshire Partners in Education, recognizes outstanding business and community partnerships with schools throughout the state. Last year, NEEAC served 9 different New Hampshire districts through technical assistance and professional development activities. For more information, visit the New Hampshire Partners in Education website .
U.S. ED releases new IDEA regulations
The U.S. Department of Education has released new regulations for Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The U.S. Department of Education has also prepared a user-friendly web guide to the regulations, including the text, an analysis of the public's comments, a summary of the major changes since publication of the proposed regulations, and additional guidance for implementing the regulations. More information is available on the IDEA website .
U.S. ED offers "Toolkit for Hispanic Families"
The U.S. Department of Education recently developed a "Toolkit for Hispanic Families: Resources to Help Students Succeed in Schools." Created with input from over 1800 Hispanic parents, the toolkit contains specific info for parents of pre-schoolers, elementary, and secondary students, along with tips on learning to read and relevant information on No Child Left Behind.
October 2006
NEEAC co-sponsors the 11th annual Connecticut Conference on Multicultural Education
The conference was organized by the Connecticut Chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) and was held October 16, 2006 in Farmington, Connecticut. Maria Pacheco and Janet Santos presented a session on culturally responsive teaching; Randy Ross presented on ways to reduce bullying and harassment by improving school climate; and Maria Wilson-Portuondo led a session on separating language difficulties of ELLs from a disability.
NEEAC presents at Maine ELL conference on October 20, 2006
Several NEEAC staff members presented workshops at the 26th annual Maine Conference for the Education of English Language Learners: "Success for All." Maria Pacheco presented "Leading with Diversity: Cultural Competency"; Randy Ross led a session on "ELLs and the Bullying Dynamic: What Teachers Can Do to Prevent, Intervene, Protect"; and Maria Wilson-Portuondo and Phyllis Hardy presented "Child Study Team: Considerations When Exploring the Learning Difficulties of ELLs." The conference was co-sponsored by the NEEAC and was held on October 20, 2006 in Portland, Maine.
U.S. Department of Education holds OELA Summit V
The U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) held it's 5th annual Celebrate Our Rising Stars Summit on October 30–November 1, 2006 in Washington, D.C. This year's Summit, with the theme, "Strategies to Close the Achievement Gap," sought to equip educators of all levels with effective instructional methods and practices for their English language learners (ELLs).
Free online anti-bias course for secondary school teachers/ administrators
The Anti-Defamation League launched "Making Diversity Count: An Online Anti-Bias Course for Educators," an online educational initiative to combat bias and promote respect. From October 2–November 21, 2006, the pilot phase of the course was offered for free to any secondary teacher/administrator in an 8th–12th grade school setting. The course intends to give teachers tools to successfully prevent and challenge bias in the classroom, as well as to build safe, respectful schools for all students. Participating teachers earned Continuing Education Units through the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
November 2006
NEEAC presents at national NAME conference
On November 9, 2006, NEEAC equity specialist Randy Ross presented a workshop at the national conference of the National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME) held in Phoenix, Arizona. The session, "Using Focus Groups to Explore Multicultural Education Concerns," addressed how multicultural educators can use focus groups to understand racial, ethnic, class, religious, and sexual dynamics in a school community. Properly organized and facilitated, focus groups can elicit long submerged voices and stories, while collecting qualitative data for equity needs assessments. As part of the training, Ross led participants in a mock focus group.
NEEAC teams with MA Attorney General on civil rights training
On November 14, 2006, NEEAC staff partnered with officials from the Massachusetts Attorney General's office to deliver training on civil rights for nearly 30 school administrators from three Massachusetts districts. Held at the Southern New England School of Law, the session addressed school districts' need to recognize and address bullying, harassment, and hate crime, particularly from a legal and policy perspective. Presenters discussed differences between bullying and harassment, and participants reviewed the sample policy for schools developed by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office's Safe Schools Initiative. The session concluded with a discussion of the steps districts can take to adapt the sample policy to their own local requirements.
To learn more about the Massachusetts Sample Civil Rights/ Anti-Harassment Policy, visit the website of the Attorney General of Massachusetts .
New reports offer guidelines for ELL education
The federally funded Center on Instruction released a three-part series "Practical Guidelines for the Education of English Language Learners." The documents offer research-based recommendations for: instruction and academic interventions in reading and mathematics (grades K–12), serving adolescent newcomers (grades 6–12), and using accommodations in large-scale assessments. To access the guidelines documents and associated materials, visit:
Center on Instruction > ELL > Research
The federally funded National High School Center released a brief entitled: "Improving Literacy Outcomes for English Language Learners in High School: Considerations for States and Districts in Developing a Coherent Policy Framework." The brief outlines existing barriers regarding teacher expectations, tracking, and ELL placement and offers policies and strategies to support the success of all students.
The Alliance for Excellent Education released a report entitled: Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent English Language Learners . The report advocates particular teaching practices and educational policies designed to enhance the reading and writing of ELLs.
