multilingual trailblazers - Houston ISD

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Jun 26, 2014 - 4400 West 18th Street. Houston, Texas 77092. Phone: 713-556-6961. Fax: 713-556-6980. Migrant: 713-556-728
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Multilingual Minutes

The Multilingual Programs Department, through its four major divisions (Title III, Bilingual/English as a Second Language, Migrant Education, and Refugee), is committed to serve all HISD schools by providing expertise, guidance, support and training necessary to educate English Language Learners as well as migrant, refugee, and immigrant students.

MULTILINGUAL TRAILBLAZERS Gina Lerma-Avila, Martha Robles, Cruz Rochez, Terrie Armstrong, Maida Feliciano, Ricardo Avila, Dr. Randal Jones, Dr. Gracie Guerrero

The Multilingual Programs Team is extremely proud of these Trailblazers for exemplifying strong teamwork and leadership, lending their experience and expertise, and implementing Best Practices in the field as educators at Jefferson ES. Multilingual Trailblazers

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A Message from Dr. Guerrero Keeping Up with ELLs

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BBB

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Trainings & Resources

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A School That Shines

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Connect with us, and sign-up: www.hisdmultilingual.wordpress.com Follow us on Twitter: @HISDMultiPrgms

Houston Independent School District Multilingual Programs Department 4400 West 18th Street Houston, Texas 77092 Phone: 713-556-6961 Fax: 713-556-6980 Migrant: 713-556-7288 Refugee: 713-773-6177 Spring 2014 Volume

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A Message from Dr. Guerrero Dear colleagues, As we prepare for the upcoming testing season, our main concern is the academic achievement/progress of all students. However, there is a certain degree of uncertainty as to how our students will fare within the context of the state accountability system due to the recent updates and still pending decisions. What is certain is that all students are expected to test; all student are expected to demonstrate progress; all students are expected to demonstrate proficiency across core content areas. As educators of English Language Learners (ELLs), we are responsible for our students’ academic and linguistic growth. This means that we are charged with student mastery of TEKS and increase in English language proficiency based on the TELPAS. Effective this year, the “weight” of the four TELPAS domains have changed. The Reading rating now constitutes 50% of the composite rating, Writing now accounts for 30%, Speaking 10%, and Listening 10%. More than ever, we must be vigilant about knowing the language levels of our students at the beginning of the year so that we address their linguistic needs in the classroom and ensure at least one level of growth by the end of the year. While this task is certainly not an easy one, it its an important one. I urge each one of you to follow all rater guidelines, collaborate with each other, and set up checks and balances in your grade levels/ campuses to ensure that all ELLs are rated according to the Proficiency Level Descriptors (PLDs). This “task” is a crucial part of our students’ academic career and it does have an impact on their education. You do make a difference! Respectfully, Gracie Guerrero, Ed.D. Assistant Superintendent Multilingual Programs Department

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KEEPING UP WITH ELLs Houston ISD launched “Plan Your Path” informational website, houstonisd.org/ PlanYourPath, (press Ctrl to open link) early February to support students, families, and staff in making the most of the guidelines that will require students to choose academic and career paths that will prepare them for success beyond high school. It offers:   

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Simple explanations by grade level of STAAR testing requirements, including changes in required end-of-course (EOC) exams for graduation A guide to the revised Texas graduation plan An exploration of “endorsements,” the five areas of focus — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Business and Industry; Arts and Humanities; Public Services; and Multidisciplinary — that HISD will offer to students to set and follow their academic and career goals A section of frequently asked questions (FAQs), along with the opportunity to pose your own question Advice for parents on how to work as partners with their children’s schools to assure their academic success For more information, please click here.

ELL Progress Measure 





A bilingual individual’s brain has two active language systems which work simultaneously without hindering the performance of the other. Thus, ensuring that the brain is always exercising both its linguistically oriented cognitive functions. Kids can easily break down words into its component sounds and therefore categorizing words comes naturally to them. It is easier for bilingual children to detect rhyming words. Research has suggested that elderly bilinguals have more cognitive control as compared to monolinguals.

The Texas English Language Learner (ELL) Progress Measure provides year-to-year expectations on the English STAAR content-area assessments for Texas ELLs, based on the number of years they have been enrolled in U.S schools and the TELPAS composite proficiency level they obtain the first time they take TELPAS, beginning with second grade. The progress measure will be applied to students who are classified as limited English proficient (LEP), take the English language versions of STAAR, and do not have a parent denial for ELL services. Eligible ELLs are placed into a plan that specifies the expected number of years it should take for the student to reach proficiency, or meet his or her Level II: Satisfactory Academic Performance standards on STAAR contentarea assessments. Progress made by ELLs from year to year will impact Index 1 and Index 2 of the state accountability system. For more information, click HERE. Under General Resources, click ELL Progress Measure.

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PROGRAM EXPANSION & UPDATES Recognizing that, in order to successfully compete in a diverse market economy, students must have access to a bilingual and bicultural education, HISD will phase-in a consistent world-class Dual Language bilingual program that graduates students who are fully biliterate in English and Spanish. The expansion includes 14 schools for the 2014-2015 school year, with a 6-year plan to establish the DL program in at least half of the district’s elementary schools by the year 2020. Seventeen HISD elementary schools already offer a Dual Language program. An approximate amount of campuses will be included in the Dual Language expansion each year and is contingent upon campus readiness based on student demographics, community interest, and staff support. Through a collaborative between the Multilingual Programs, Curriculum Instruction & Assessment, and Teacher Support and Development, over 250 administrators, school officers, teachers and specialists were trained during a 4-day Dual Language Biliteracy Staff Development in support of the program’s expansion from February 3 through February 6, 2014. Subsequently, on February 27, over 80 teachers, teacher development specialists and support staff were trained on DL Units of Study that will have a supplemental training in April 2014. Community Meetings will continue to be held at each of the 2014-2015 new DL schools, led by DL school principals and supported by a Dual Language Committee member and an ESO representative through

Briscoe ES Anderson ES Emerson ES Ashford ES Helms ES Burnet ES Herod ES Coop ES Herrera ES Dogan ES Garden Villas ES Northline ES Gregg ES Sherman ES Harris, R.P. ES Twain ES McNamara ES Wharton K-8 DL Academy Memorial ES Billy Reagan Educational Ctr Osborne ES Daily ES Shearn ES Deanda Elementary Whidby ES Kashmere Gardens ES White ES Law ES Burbank MS Johnston MS Reagan HS

HISD’S FAST FACTS EDUCATING 210, 000+ STUDENTS LARGEST DISTRICT IN TEXAS AND THE 7TH LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES 282 SCHOOLS SERVE OUR STUDENTS 106 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ACROSS THE DISTRICT OVER 90% OF SCHOOLS SERVE OVER 60,000 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS WITH 2 BILINGUAL PROGRAM MODELS DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAMS ARE CURRENTLY OFFERED AT 17 CAMPUSES

Mark Your Calendar! BILINGUAL K-2, VIVIANA HALL 4/5/14 PK-8 END-OF-YEAR LPAC 4/14, 4/15, 4/16, 4/17, 5/1, 5/2 HIGH SCHOOL END-OF-YEAR LPAC 4/14, 4/15, 4/16, 4/17, 5/8 SECONDARY ESL COORDINATORS 5/22/14 NEW SECONDARY ESL COORDINATORS 5/15/14 SECONDARY ESL PROGRAMS 5/15/14 ESL: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER 6/23-6/24 NEUHAUS COMMON TIES 6/9-6/12 ESPERANZA 6/25-6/26 LENGUAJE Y LECTURA ESPERANZA KINDER 6/26/14 NOTE: THESE ARE JUST A SELECTION OF THE TRAININGS OFFERED. CHECK E-TRAIN FOR COMPLETE ROSTER OF TRAININGS.

GUIDELINES END-OF-YEAR LPAC STAAR RESOURCES DUAL LANGUAGE TEACHER RESOURCES

Websites to Remember: HISD www.houstonisd.org Multilingual Programs www.houstonisd.org/ Domain/8037 Graduation Requirements www.tea.state.tx.us/ graduation.aspx HB 5 Updates www.tea.state.tx.us/ index2.aspx?id=25769806149 Texas English Language Learners Portal www.elltx.org Multilingual Mania www.multlilingualmania.com

Westside HS is a School That Shines because of its Ambassadors Club, led by Edith Gonzalez. The club is involved in helping international students transition to Westside High School. New students are paired up with a “buddy” for the first semester to assist them with checking out their books, introducing them to their teachers and helping them locate the classrooms as well as getting their locker and ID. They accompany them to lunch and assist them with homework. The club is also involved in providing daily tutorial sessions during lunch. The junior and senior students provide peer support and assistance to the younger students with their homework assignments, projects and review for tests.

SCHOOLS THAT SHINE Sylvan Rodriguez ES is a School That Shines

for its unique learning community. Last year’s student enrollment grew from 940 to the current maximum capacity of 1,030. While Rodriguez’s population is comprised of 75% ELLs, the district’s ELL data indicates this number is decreasing due to the successful exit of students from the Bilingual Program into monolingual classroom instruction. Devoted educators, committed parents, and dedicated students are Sylvan Rodriguez’s force behind this campus’ success as well as the business partnerships with Baylor, Galleria, and Mission Southwest. Though none of it would be possible without the leadership of Ms. Martinez-Buley who has dedicated over 13 years of guidance to her campus but as she humbly shared, Rodriguez’s success begins with her teachers’ input and involvement.

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