ESL & Special Education
Resources for Educators of English Learners
A multidisciplinary team of Consultants from Oakland Schools is pleased to offer the following resources to district teams who are considering a Special Education evaluation of an English Learner.
2017 MITESOL (Michigan Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) Conference
When:
October 20 & 21, 2017
Where:
Oakland Schools
What:
Michigan Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages is a state affiliate of the professional association, TESOL International. MITESOL is composed of professionals - primarily from Michigan - who are involved in the teaching of students for whom English is an additional language.
Oakland Schools is pleased to host the 2017 MITESOL conference offering many sessions for K-12 educators of English Learners.
The theme of the 2017 MITESOL conference is Promoting Equity and Excellence.
Sessions Focusing on ELs with Suspected Disabilities Include:
Difference or Disorder? Tools for Team Decision-Making
- Panel Presented by: Diane Katakowski, Oakland Schools, Dr. Susan Koceski, Oakland Schools, Kallee Iverson, Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, Christin Silagy, Troy School District & Steven Whitmore, Oakland Schools
Equity for English Learners with Disabilities
- Invited Speaker: Dr. Shereen Tabrizi, Michigan Department of Education
Access for English Learners in Statewide Assessments
- Invited Speaker: Jennifer Paul, Michigan Department of Education
Registration Information: www.mitesol.org
Oakland Schools Guidance: Big Ideas When Considering a Special Education Evaluation of an English Learner
Oakland Schools Guidance: Effective Interpretation Process for English Learners and Their Families
General education, Title I, ESL, and special education professionals must work together to safeguard the educational opportunities of students who are learning English as a second language as well as engage in culturally responsive assessment practices. With these responsibilities in mind, this guidance document aims to provide clarification about the role of an interpreter from pre-referral through special education evaluation, as well as to establish guidelines for an effective interpretation process.
Oakland Schools Guidance: Appropriate Use of Screening, Formative, and Diagnostic Reading Assessment Systems with Students who are English Learners
English Learner: Difference or Disability Group
Description
This miPLACE collaboratorium group is for educators of English Learners who have IEPs or for those suspected of having additional learning needs beyond English language acquisition. Group members will have access to documents, links, forums, and information related to English Learners and Special Education.
How to Join the Group
To log into miPLACE for the first time:
- Before going to mi PLACE, use your browser to log in to your work(or personal) Google account. This is the Google account you’ll use in mi PLACE.
- Go to http://www.miplacek12.org
- Click on the red Google button to log in, use your school email address and network password (or personal Gmail address and password).
- Give mi PLACE permission to use your Google username for mi PLACE
- Complete the profile screen
Request to join the group:
- Click on the green tab for the Collaboratorium
- Search for the “English Learner: Difference or Disability” group
- Click on the group name to request to join
- Since this is a Private group, your request will be processed and then you can enter the group
Book Study: Seven Steps to Separating Difference from Disability Group
Description
This miPLACE Collaboratorium group is designed for educators who seek to learn more about how to determine if an English Learner has second language acquisition issues or other learning issues. The purpose of this group is to encourage educators or teams of educators to collaboratively and purposefully study the book Seven Steps to Separating Difference From Disability by Dr. Catherine Collier.
How to Join the Group
To log into miPLACE for the first time:
- Before going to mi PLACE, use your browser to log in to your work(or personal) Google account. This is the Google account you’ll use in mi PLACE.
- Go to http://www.miplacek12.org
- Click on the red Google button to log in, use your school email address and network password (or personal Gmail address and password).
- Give mi PLACE permission to use your Google username for mi PLACE
- Complete the profile screen
Request to join the group:
- Click on the green tab for the Collaboratorium
- Search for the “Book Study: Seven Steps to Separating Difference from Disability” group
- Click on the group name to request to join
- Since this is a Private group, your request will be processed and then you can enter the group
English Learner: Difference or Disability FREE Online Course
Description of the Course
As an educator, you are involved in working with English Learners who might be suspected of having a disability. This online course will focus on strengthening your understanding of how you can contribute to the pre-referral process.
Participants will examine tools and strategies to learn how to gather evidence of second language acquisition issues and possible learning issues. The modules explore reasons for over- and under- identification of learning disabilities among English Learners. The acculturation process and characteristics of learning disabilities will be defined. Steps that student study teams should take throughout the pre-referral process will be outlined. Specific tools for analysis of English Learner data will be shared. All educators who are involved in the pre-referral process are encouraged to participate in this online course; district teams are encouraged to enroll in the course together.
Coming soon to the miPLACE HUB
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For More Information Contact
Diane Katakowski, Speech & Language Consultant
diane.katakowski@oakland.k12.mi.us
248.209.2042
Susan Koceski, School Pyschology Consultant
susan.koceski@oakland.k12.mi.us
248.209.2536
suzanne.toohey@oakland.k12.mi.us
248.209.2070
Steve Whitmore, Social Worker Consultant
steven.whitmore@oakland.k12.mik.us
248.209.2252