January 20, 2021
FROM NYSED:
The State Education Department released graduation rates for the 2016 cohort, those students who first entered 9th grade in New York’s public schools in 2016. The overall August graduation rate increased to 84.8 percent, up 1.4 percentage points from 83.4 percent for the 2015 cohort.
The graduation rate for English language learners (ELLs) improved overall this year. The graduation rate for Current ELLs increased by 7.1 percentage points over last year. With a graduation rate of 90.0 percent, Ever ELLs surpassed the overall statewide graduation rate by more than five percentage points. While Current ELLs still lag far behind the statewide rate with a graduation rate of 46.0 percent, they saw a 7.1 percentage point increase over last year.
OBEWL January 2021 Newsletter
This newsletter includes:
- A letter from Associate Commissioner Elisa Alvarez;
- Indigenous Languages in New York State;
- K-12 Language Immersion Program in Herricks Public Schools;
- Additional updates and resources from NYSED
Click here to view and download.
NYSESLAT Information Form
The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages is asking educators to complete a 4 question Information Form regarding the spring 2021 administration of the NYSESLAT. Your contribution will assist in our continuing efforts to solicit meaningful feedback from administrators and educators of English Language Learners during school closures and remote learning. We would appreciate your response on or before by Friday, January 29, 2021.
Current RBERN PD Offerings:
- Co-Planning for ELLs: A Team Approach to Scaffolding - 1/26
- Boosting Virtual Engagement for ELLs - 2/1 (Hosted by WFL BOCES)
- Immigrant Experience Book Club Session 3: Green Card Youth Voices Upstate New York - 2/1-2/28
- Seal of Biliteracy Regional Collaborative Module 4: Monitoring Student Progress - 2/8
- Culturally Responsive Teaching & the Brain Online Book Study - 2/28-5/1
Regional & Community News:
RESOURCE:
China Institute @ Your School (Virtual)
China Institute’s We All Live in the Forbidden City program offers a series of standards-based, interactive programs that introduce K-6 students to Chinese history and culture. Using China’s Forbidden City as a lens, the program addresses universal values such as respecting and being inspired by the natural world; understanding the balance between freedom and responsibility; and the importance of leadership and teamwork. Each workshop session is one hour long.
- 20 FREE workshops are reserved for public schools on a first come first serve basis!
“Tell Me a Story” High School Contest
~Thanks to Bill Pruitt, retired ESOL teacher, for sharing!
IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
A recent article in Nazareth College's quarterly magazine, Connections, features Esma Simsek Serbetci, a former ELL who is now starting her career as an ESOL teacher.
“I want my students to aspire to do anything they want to do, and I want them to see me as an example."
After graduating from Greece Athena High School, Esma attended Nazareth College and is now teaching ENL at Fairport High School.
IN THE NEWS:
Like a growing number of U.S. students today, Miguel Cardona learned English in school, not at home.
Third Annual WNY Refugee Film Festival
JOB POSTING:
Call for Math Teachers to Pilot Mini-Units Designed for SIFE
Bridges to Academic Success is expanding its Newcomer and SIFE literacy curricula to include additional math mini-units, and we need math teachers who have worked with our population to pilot these materials as part of the development process. These units are based on Guided Math and TESOL principles for teaching mathematical literacy and include all necessary digital and in-person materials.
About Mid-West RBERN
The purpose of Mid-West RBERN is to build capacity within school communities to cultivate strong leaders, high quality, meaningful instruction, and welcoming, inclusive environments for Multilingual Learners (MLLs). We are committed to developing partnerships that result in equitable educational outcomes for MLLs by capitalizing on the backgrounds, cultures, and strengths of diverse students and educators.
Find us on Twitter @MidWestRBERN or Tweet about us using #mwrbern!
Email: midwestrbern@monroe2boces.org
Website: www.monroe2boces.org/rbern
Location: Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, 3599 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport, NY, USA
Phone: 585-352-2790
Twitter: @MidWestRBERN