Governor Brown proposed to fold into his categorical flexibility program the Economic Impact Aid funds (EIA).  This means that approximately 1 billion dollars targeted for economically disadvantaged students and English learners can be used for other purposes, including non-instructional purposes, as determined by the district!!  The EIA already provides maximum flexibility so long as the funding is spent on the two-targeted groups of students; economically disadvantaged students and English learners.  In this time of limited resources, it is critical that targeted funds remain targeted to the most vulnerable students that need the extra assistance and attention, including economically disadvantaged and English learner students.  Say NO to "flexing the EIA" - sign the attached letters and mail them immediately. 

Presenters:  Dr. Laurie Olsen, Director Sobrato Early Academic Language Program
                    Dr. Dolores Beltran, Professor Emerita, California State University, Los Angeles
                    Dr. Lilia Sarmiento, Professor, California State University, Dominquez Hills

 A new model for elementary school programs and instruction developed for the Sobrato Early Academic Language Program that optimizes language, academic and cognitive development for English learners will be presented.  The approach to intensive language instruction, thematic curriculum planning and systematic articulation/alignment across grade levels will be shared.  Teacher developed tools for instruction and evaluation and lessons learned will be part of this important workshop. 

Through varied participatory structures and classroom videos, participants will be introduced to a framework and model that optimizes academic content language for English learners within the 5E science inquiry process.  Effective practices that promote talk, thought and interaction for language instruction will be presented with applicability to other content areas.

Register online http://tinyurl.com/6q3x6v2 or with the attached registration brochure.

The National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) passed a formal resolution supporting and endorsing the State Seal of Biliteracy.  At the February NABE Conference in Dallas, Californians Together was recognized for the development of the State Seal of Biliteracy.  Several other states are beginning to discuss the possibility of implementing a state seal. 

Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson, sent a letter to all superintendents in the state of California outlining the process for applying  for the State Seal of Biliteracy for this June's graduates.  The link to the website is http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp.  Allow 3-6 weeks after the date the California Department of Education receives your Insignia Request Form to receive the State Seals for placement on the diplomas and transcripts of your seniors.  Thousands of student will be recognized this year for their multilingual talents. 

In the recent research publication, Reparable Harm:  Fulfilling the Upkept Promise of Educational Opportunity for California's Long Term English Learners, we shared data from 40 school districts on the Long Term English Learner population in secondary schools.  As a follow-up, we are seeking data on the emergence of Long Term English Learners in the elementary school years.  If you are interested and able to participate in this effort, please fill out the form (below) by February 14, 2012 and email or fax back to:

Shelly Spiegel-Coleman
Shelly@californianstogether.org
562-436-1822 (fax)

All data will be aggregated and the names of the districts providing the data will be kept confidential. 

California Seal of Biliteracy - The First in the Nation

OnOctober 8, 2011, Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 815 (Brownley) creating theState Seal of Biliteracy making California the first state in the nation tohonor high school seniors who are proficient in English and one or more languages.  Californians Together hasworked for two years with schools districts across the state to develop localSeal of Biliteracy programs.  To date 64schools, districts and county offices of education have formally adopted a Sealof Biliteracy program.  Last June over6,000 students were awarded the Seal and marched at graduation with amedallion, stole or cord indicating their achievement in multiple languages.
TheCalifornia Department of Education (CDE) is in the process of implementing AB 815,  the State Seal of Biliteracy.It will be available for this June’s graduates.  With the support of Superintendent of PublicInstruction, Tom Torklakson, a special design for the State Seal has beencommissioned.   It will be aself-adhesive seal that can be affixed to a student’s diploma ortranscript.  Information on how to request the newly designed seal for 2012 willbe forthcoming in a letter to the field and a new CDE Web page to be postedsoon at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp


Please read the text of thelegislation (attachment below), which contains all of the criteria for eligibility by clicking here. You may contact the CDE by email at: SEAL@cde.ca.govregarding this program.

Revising, Updating and Aligning the English Language Development Standards (ELD) to California's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards

AB 124 (Fuentes) became law this month.  The California Department of Education has the responsibility for revising, updating and aligning the current ELD Standards to the ELA Common Core Standards by grade level.  Two steps have begun that will involve the field in this important work.  The Department will conduct four focus groups in different areas of the state to receive input from the field as to what would be most helpful for students and teachers in these new standards.  They have released an application for interested educators to complete in order to participate in the focus groups.  This information is contained on this website.  http://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/index.asp.  The law requires that the Department appoint an Expert Panel to consult on the development of the new standards.  An additional application will be made available for appointment to this panel.  Consult the website for updates on this critical work.

Californians Together Announces the Release of a New Film“The Seal of Biliteracy – Celebrating Students of the 21st Century”


What does it mean to be a student of the 21st century? High school seniors graduating in this global era need to have skills to be able to communicate across national borders and languages. They need to be prepared to enter into the global world that they will inherit upon graduation. Being proficient in English and one or more other world languages is a strong indicator that they are not only college and career ready but prepared to contribute to the prosperity of their local community, and our diverse state and nation as bilingual professionals, social service providers, and international diplomats.


The film, The Seal of Biliteracy – Celebrating Students of the 21st Century, presents the journey and voices of three students:Richard Robles, Sierra Vista High School graduate from Baldwin Park Unified School District, You Li and Elizabeth Paiva, graduates from Modesto City Schools who have all earned the Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal of Biliteracy is a seal affixed to the transcript or diploma of a graduating senior who has meet internationally benchmarked criteria to demonstrate proficiency in English and one or more world languages. The goal is biliteracy at a high level for graduating high schools seniors.


Richard, who began school as a Spanish speaker, has reached his goal of proficiency in English and Spanish and has been accepted to UC San Diego. You Li began school as a Mandarin speaker. She is now proficient in English and Mandarin and is proud of her bilingualism and biliteracy achievements. Elizabeth Paiva began school as an English speaker. She is now proficient in English and Spanish and feels accomplished with her ability to speak, read and write in two languages.


Californians Together has worked with schools districts across the state of California establishing this biliteracy recognition program. Fifty-eight schools, districts and county offices of education implemented the Seal of Biliteracy in June, 2011 and over 6,000 students were awarded the Seal of Biliteracy. The film presents the voices and perspective of parents, school administrators, school board members and business leaders who acknowledge and understand that their students need to be prepared for their role in our 21st century global society in awarding them a Seal of Biliteracy.


The film also presents elementary school students in Hoover Community School in Redwood City Schools who receive a biliteracy pathway award documenting their proficiency in English and Spanish. The students, their parents, and teachers celebrate their achievements at a school-wide biliteracy award ceremony that sets the students’ sights on pursuing a seal on their high school diploma.


The simple concept and low cost education reform of the Seal of Biliteracy is now driving curricular change. It is changing attitudes that the students, parents and education community have about language, themselves and each other. These students will enter into an interconnected world prepared and motivated to be responsible citizens of the 21st century.


For further information about implementing the Seal of Biliteracy, purchasing the DVD or viewing it on Facebook, YouTube or our website, www.californianstogether.org, contact:


Californians Together
525 E. 7th St.
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-983-1333 Shelly@californianstogether.org

Graduation celebrations this year will be greatly enhanced in fifty-seven school districts in California where thousands of these high school graduates will don special medals that recognize them for achieving a high degree of literacy in English and one or more world languages. These California school districts, including some of the largest districts in the state, will award the Seal of Biliteracy, a statewide recognition that honors students who have attained proficiency in English and one or more world languages. 

Seal of Bliteracy Medallions are available to be awarded for graduating high school seniors  meeting the district criteria for the Seal of Biliteracy.  In addition, the self-adhesive seals that can be affixed to diplomas, certificates and/or transcripts are also available.  Feel free to download the order forms for one or both of these items and place your orders. 

Californians Together is pleased to announce the availability of exciting research-based publications and tools to help develop and improve policy and practice for school and district reform targeting English learners. We are grateful to the staff and talent from California Tomorrow that has trusted us to distribute their materials to keep their visions for equity in our schools alive.

This the second edition of our Seal of Biliteracy Information and Implementation Booklet.  We hope you find this updated booklet helpful when planning to adopt and implement the Seal of Biliteracy and pathway awards. 

Systemic issues in California’s public education have created a majority of high school English Learners who despite many years in our schools are still not English proficient and have developed major academic deficits, according to a recent study authored by Californians Together and funded by the California Community Foundation.

The report, Reparable Harm: Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunity for California’s Long Term English Learners, calls upon state policymakers and leaders to provide solutions and outlines basic principles and promising approaches for school districts to meet the needs of English Learners more effectively.

Watch "Immersion Film" Directed By Richard Levien, Produced By Richard Levien