CHICAS
Bilingual/ESL Newsletter - May 2016
CELEBRATE!
Cultural diversity is celebrated at Vega!
Best Practices
Differentiated Instruction
Introduction
Not all students are alike. Based on this knowledge, differentiated instruction applies an approach to teaching and learning so that students have multiple options for taking in information and making sense of ideas. The model of differentiated instruction requires teachers to be flexible in their approach to teaching and adjusting the curriculum and presentation of information to learners rather than expecting students to modify themselves for the curriculum. Classroom teaching is a blend of whole-class, group and individual instruction. Differentiated Instruction is a teaching theory based on the premise that instructional approaches should vary and be adapted in relation to individual and diverse students in classrooms.
Defined
“Differentiated instruction is a teaching philosophy based on the premise that teachers should adapt instruction to student differences. Rather tan marching students through the curriculum lockstep, teachers should modify their instruction to meet students’ varying readiness levels, learning preferences, and interests. Therefore, the teacher proactively plans a variety of ways to ‘get at’ and express learning.”
Carol Ann Tomlinson
Nuts & Bolts for Administrators
Campus Planning Information and Recommendations for 2016-17
Review the Progress of ELL Programs - DUE by JUNE
Program Guiding Principles Continuum
- Please review and self-assess implementation of the Bilingual and/or ESL program at your campus collaboratively with teacher leaders using the Guiding Principles Continuum.
- Use the google form, Campus Self-Assessment of ELL Program, to communicate your ratings with the Bilingual/ESL Department by June.
- AS NEEDED: Schedule a collaboration meeting with Judith Coffman to review the needs of your campus based on your self-assessment using the Guiding Principles Continuum. We can also review your CIP performance objectives during that meeting. Please contact Leticia Marquez (Dept. Secretary) at x7710 to schedule a time.
ESL Certification - Communication Needed
Reimbursement:
The last day to turn-in a request for reimbursement for 2015-16 is June 1st.
Any reimbursement request received after June 1st will be processed in July.
Summer ESL TExES #154 Prep Course (2 Full Days)
June 7-8, 2016
July 13-14, 2016
August 3-4, 2016
ESL Certification is REQUIRED for all newly hired teachers for the 2016-17 school year:
• All secondary ELAR teachers (Reading/Writing)
• All elementary content teachers
• All Special Education teachers
Please keep in mind ESL certification requirements when you begin to hire for 2016-17.
Summer IPT Testing Dates - INFO FOR REGISTRARS
An email has already been sent to registrars, but it would help to have this extra layer of communication. Having four IPT testing dates in the summer is new for us this year.
All schools, including bilingual campuses, are welcome to provide this information to parents who indicate a language other than English in their Home Language Survey. Our goal is to support campuses by reducing the amount of IPT testing needed for new students.
Info for Registrars
Please provide the linked flyer with summer IPT testing dates to families who have indicated a language other than English on their Home Language Survey. This flyer is for incoming kinder students who where not previously in PK at Lawson and for any new student to McKinney who registers over the summer for 2016-17. Please contact the Bilingual/ESL Department if you have questions regarding IPT testing for students who are new to the district.
SUMMER SPANISH CLASS - Communication Needed
Online Spanish Summer Classes Available for MISD Teachers & Administrators
- Participation requires a commitment of 2 hours per week.
- The number of participants will depend on available licenses.
- Teachers who are interested in participating in this class need to complete the attached google form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-xnGg1mxNvQd4kUclBxOOle7rspVSWzlyK2mAWGRjIc/viewform?usp=send_form\
- An email will be sent to those who sign-up in June from Rosetta Stone with sign-in information.
ESL TEXTBOOKS - FYI
- ESL Textbooks will be delivered to your campus throughout the course of this semester. An inventory sheet of textbooks and supplemental material was emailed out in January by Abigail.
- Bilingual campuses will receive 2 kits per grade level (1 kit for bilingual and 1 kit for ESL) and non-bilingual campuses will receive 1 kit per grade level.
- A curriculum will be developed to support the use of this resource for small group instruction in the summer.
- Information on training opportunities for these resources will be communicated later in the semester. Our current plan is to provide after school sessions and/or support teachers during planning time.
- Expected implementation/use of this resource with curriculum will be for 2016-17. However, campuses are welcome to begin using the resources this year.
Textbook Flyer link
LPAC Nuts & Bolts
SUMMER PD - Mark Your Calendars
ELL Institute for Administrators & Instructional Coaches - 8/2/2016
Lost in Translation - June 13, 2016
MISD LPAC 101 - LPAC Framework - 7/11/16
- Required for all LPAC Coordinators and Administrators who have not been previously trained
LPAC for New Coordinators - MISD LPAC Procedures, Forms, and Q & A - 8/30/14
Fundamentals of ELPS/TELPAS - 8/8/16
- Additional session will be offered in September
- Required training for first year TELPAS raters
Newcomers and SSI Requirements
Question: What happens when a Newcomer student that is in 5th or 8th grade fails STAAR? Do they need to retest?
Answer:
Yes, the Newcomer student needs to retest. Since chances are good that the Newcomer student will not pass the 2nd administration either, the GPC along with an LPAC representative will prescribe “accelerated" instruction.
Because a Newcomer student has very little English, the best accelerated instruction placement for them may be the Elementary Newcomer Summer Enrichment Program (June 8-30 from 8am-2:30pm at Webb) or Secondary Newcomer Summer Enrichment Program (June 7-24 from 8am - noon at MHS).
Who qualifies for the Newcomer Summer School?
*LEP student is in 1st or 2nd year in US
*Scored NES or LES on IPT at the end of the school year
*Attained Beginner or Intermediate composite rating on TELPAS
Parent Communication:
PLEASE make sure that the parents are informed that they can appeal the automatic retention and that the student is required to go to the Newcomer
Enrichment Program (MS or HS). The best placement for a 5th grader would probably be the Newcomer Center in middle school.
If the parents do not speak English, please contact Leti to arrange for an interpreter to explain SSI, GPC and how important it is for them to initiate the appeal process, following the timeline to appeal and what happens if they don’t.
Linked below you will find information regarding SSI and ELL requirements.
Second Semester PD
Please help us communicate any required or recommended training for staff members on your campus. Below are upcoming PD dates to help facilitate communication.
A PD Google Calendar has also been developed to provide up to date communication of available professional development.
Bilingual 4th & 5th Grade PD
Please share dates with your bilingual teachers.
Sub Cost Coverage Procedures and Form
REQUIRED
- 4th Grade Bilingual - One-Way Dual Language Implementation and Balanced Literacy Overview - 5/26/16 - 8:30-3:30
Useful Links
Bilingual/ESL Department
Judith Coffman, M.Ed
Bilingual/ESL Director
Email: jcoffman@mckinneyisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/mckinneyisd.net/bilingual-esl/
Location: One Duvall St., McKinney, TX 75069
Phone: 469-302-7710
Twitter: @Judith_Coffman