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$0$0$0OnOctober 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 morelanguages.  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$0$0$0$0$0TheCalifornia 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$0$0$0$0Please 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. $0$0Revising, Updating and Aligning the English Language Development Standards (ELD) to California's English Language Arts (ELA) Standards$0AB 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.  $0

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

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.

At a time when 31 states have passed “English Only” laws, four pioneering families put their children in public schools where, from the first day of kindergarten, their teachers speak mostly Chinese or Spanish.  "Speaking in Tongues"  follows four diverse kids on a journey to become bilingual. This charming story in an informative and moving video will challenge you to rethink the skills that Americans need in the 21st century.  This is a must resource for schools wishing to begin and support current Dual Immersion Programs. 

Speaking in Tongues Trailer

Video Extras

Educator's Study Guide

The November/December 2010 edition of Leadership published by the Association of California School Administrators contains two wonderful article about the reseach and district efforts to address the language and academic needs specific to long term English learners.  The research article is written by Dr. Laurie Olsen, author of Reparable Harm, and the district perspective is written by Jennifer Robles, director of Bilingual Education Programs, Ventura Unified School District.  These two articles are posted with permission of Leadership magazine, published by the Association of California School Administrators. 

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. 

In California we need to align our current English Language Develop standards to the approved Common Core Standards if we are to give our teachers and districts the additional support to build the staircase for English learners to the grade level Common Core Standards.

The resources listed below are available for anyone working on establishing a Seal of Biliteracy recognition program for their school district or school.  Feel free to use any of the samples as a resource for your work.  You can order your Seal of Biliteracy Medallions or Self Adhesive Seals for the diplomas or transcripts by downloading the order forms.  In addition, please submit any materials that are developed in your district to Shelly@californianstogether.org

To involve all stakeholders in establishing the Seal of Biliteracy recognition program, districts, organizations and community organizations have demonstrated their support by developing new board policy, regulations, resolutions and letters.  Samples are posted below. 

Each district/school is able to set their own criteria for awarding the Pathway Awards and the Seal of Biliteracy.  Californians Together has included sample criteria at all levels of recognition in their Seal of Biliteracy booklet.  Below are criteria that some districts are currently using. 

Below are sample student applications.  We encourage districts to have students apply for this recognition so that they understand the criteria, take an affirmative action to receive this recognition and demonstrate their value of attaining a high decree of biliteracy. 

You'll see that districts are designing their awards and certificates.  Some take the shape of medallions, stoles or cords to be worn at graduation.  We are especially excited about the partnership with Velasquez Press and the medallion they have designed and offer to new Seal of Biliteracy districts and program. 

Below are samples of brochures that districts and schools have developed to publicize their Seal of Biliteracy Program. 

The attachments below are some of the local press that districts have received for the adoption and awarding of their Seal of Biliteracy

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.

Californians Together submitted the attached recommendations for the reauthorization of Elementary and Secondary Education Act to both the House Education and Labor Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.  These recommendations focus on what the reauthorization should address for improving schools for English learners.  $0

Secretary Duncan and the U. S. Department of Education released guidelines for the expenditure of billions of dollars to reform schools and districts to shrink the achievement gap and turn around low performing schools.  Californians Together suggests that to reform the nation's schools and particularly California's schools, the new initiatives need to focus on English learners.  Attached is the input provided to the U. S. Department of Education on the Race to the Top, School Improvement Grant guidelines, NAEP Uniform Guidelines for Testing ELs and testimony given at a hearing on state consortia developing and implementing high quality assessments aligned to the new common core standards.  Dr. Magaly Lavadenz from Loyola University and Dr. Barbara Flores appeared before a panel to present our recommendations in Denver, December 2, 2010.

The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, school district or county office of education in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.  Appearing on the transcript of the graduating senior, the Seal of Biliteracy is   a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions.

We are looking for school districts and schools that want to implement the Seal of Biliteracy Program.  The attached brochure gives direction and support for establishing this program.  Contact our office for more information 562-983-1333.

 

During the spring and summer of 2008 representatives of the Californians Together attended two California Department of Education trainings for the Instructional Materials Advisory Panel members and had over seventeen experts observe the textbook deliberations. Each of the observers learned much about the process and the materials and was impressed with the commitment of the panel members, the commissioners and staff. More importantly, the observers walked away with a better understanding of the adoption process, and the challenge of selecting instructional materials that best serve the instructional needs of all students, including English learners.

Based upon our observations of the work of the advisory panels, Californians Together offers the attached findings on the process, criteria and content of the materials with recommendations.

Twelve organizations are urging the State Superintendent of Instruction and the President of the State Board of Education to clarify the intent of categorical funds.  State law and court cases lay the legal foundation for guaranteeing that categorical funds are to supplement the base program and not supplant the services guaranteed to English learners.  The following letter should be shared with all stakeholders.

We are interested in knowing how the implementation of No Child Left Behind and state accountability measures for schools that are identified as low-achieving, are placed in Program Improvement Status, or in a High Priority Schools Grant Program may be impacting English Learners and English Learner programs. Please take a moment to complete one of our on-line surveys listed below. Please share this with colleagues who could help provide us with this information. Thank you for your valuable input.

DISTRICT LEVEL SURVEY
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=763132959205

SCHOOL LEVEL SURVEY
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=466072959293

SPANISH SURVEY

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=18913078180

Norm Gold Associates and the San Diego County Office of Education
This report profiles successful bilingual education programs at six schools in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Ventura, California. It was designed to show that bilingual schools are capable of providing opportunities for students to achieve and sustain high levels of academic excellence even when faced with challenges such as poverty and a lack of students' English proficiency upon entering school.

This document provides rationale, a position and criteria for guidelines for state reclassification criteria.

A report published by the Education Policy Analysis Archives and authored by James Grissom of the California Department of Education challenges the assumption that improvements in the reclassfication rate and academic achievement of English learners has taken place since the passage of Prop. 227. The report is based on statewide data from three different cohorts tracked across four years. Based on the data, Grissom concludes that Prop. 227 has had no effect on reclassfication rates or test scores. To read the full report, visit

Not until significant numbers of CELDT tests were administered to new students for initial assessment did the problem of prematurely identifying IFEPs materialize.  This document makes recommendations for modifying aspects of the CELDT to produce accurate language proficiency designation. 

This article reviews the conditions of schools for California’s English learners and argues that there are seven aspects of schooling of ELs where students receive an education that is demonstrably inferior to that of English speakers.

These two reports document policies promulgated by the California State Board of Education and legislature that were hostile to the continuation and support of bilingual programs and appropriate resources for all services to English learners.

Dr. Maria Quezada, CABE
This presentation calls for bold new leadership in leadership and resources for programs for English learners.

This document underscores the need for a statewide English Language Proficiency test and makes recommendation to improve content and administration of the CELDT.

Since the passage of Proposition 227 new education policy has affected every aspect of schooling for English learners.  This is a brief chronology, by category, of the challenges and barriers to implementing an equitable and accessible education for English learners.                                                                                                                                  

Dr. Robert Linquanti,  Policy Report, UC Linguistic Minority Research Institute, Volume 10, Number 4, Summer 2001. 
This report documents the important role of the reclassification criteria as a monitoring tool for services to English learners.  

Dr. Norm Gold, Californians Together
This document reports that 63 schools with bilingual education programs did better on tests of academic achievement in English than over 1,000 similar schools that provided instruction to most of their students only in English.

Dr. Norm Gold, Californians Together
A review of Spring 2000 Math and Reading SA -9 data from ten elementary schools with large enrollments of English learners (ELs)