Upcoming Professional Development—Bilingual/ESL

Strategies for English Language Learners in The Secondary Science Classroom

February 6, 2020
Explore research-based strategies to help English Language Learners understand concepts while supporting academic language development for all students. Participants will practice identifying the linguistic factors to be considered for making content accessible to English Language Learners. Strategies explored can be easily implemented into the classroom and yield student engagement opportunities in listening, speaking, reading, and writing about content area concepts. Acquired strategies would further enable participants to effectively facilitate inquiry science, motivate students and enhance the overall classroom climate. REGISTER

Teaching and Screening Early- The Why and How of Dyslexia Screening in Kindergarten and First Grade

3-Day Session beginning February 21, 2020
House Bill 1886 calls for dyslexia screening of all Kindergarten and First Grade students in the state of Texas. In this 3-day session, participants will learn the characteristics of dyslexia and how they manifest in the young child. Participants will also explore necessary components of initial instruction and how to address characteristics of dyslexia in the classroom. REGISTER

Instructional Coaching: Supporting Teachers of Special Student Populations - Kickin’ it Up a Notch

February 21, 2020
Empower teachers to put teaching and learning first for all students through targeted instructional coaching for special student populations (Bilingual, Dyslexia, Homeless Students, Foster Care, Gifted and Talented, Migrant and Special Education). Coaches will examine the unique instructional needs of special student populations and identify practices that are unique to teachers and teaching teams for special populations. Join us as we share best practices to impact transfer of knowledge for adults that lead to classroom implementation and improved student outcomes for all learners. REGISTER

Building the Beginning ESL Teacher's Toolbox

Beginning ESL teachers need to build an instructional toolbox in the areas of Language and Literacy Development and Teaching Methods and Assessment. The workshops below offer new ESL teachers the opportunity to learn effective methods of instruction that will benefit them for years to come.

Language and Literacy Development

Dig deeper into fostering a linguistic environment that supports second language development in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking. Participants will also learn how to build background knowledge, assist students in decoding the English language, effectively use formative assessment to shape instruction, and provide targeted feedback. ​ Two dates for this session are currently available:

Teaching Methods and Assessment

Dig deeper into effective instructional methods and techniques that address the specific needs of ELs with diverse language proficiency levels. Participants will also delve into formal and informal assessment strategies used in the ESL classroom, and explore classroom management techniques for a variety of ESL environments and situations. Two dates for this session are currently available:

Sessions are for educators and administrators from Title III districts and charter schools within Region 4. Contact bilingual@esc4.net for session details.

Title III: How to Encourage Families of ELL's to Become Education Partners

January 23, 2020
Improve communication efforts with and remove school-culture barriers for parents of ELLs.  Participants will learn to create a welcoming environment and build bridges between schools and families through a variety of hands-on, interactive activities.

• AM Session
• PM Session

Title III: Enhancing Instructional Opportunities for Immigrant Students

February 4, 2020
Acquire the information and materials needed to deliver training in your district on the Title III Enhancing Instructional Opportunities for Immigrant Students. This tool provides insight on practices for enrolling immigrant students in Texas schools, federal funding for immigrant students, and suggested activities to enhance instructional opportunities for immigrant children and  youth. The training includes information on professional development in support of immigrant students and suggested data collection for determining immigrant status. Participants will be provided with the materials to deliver the session at their districts. REGISTER

Title III Increasing and Strengthening Parental Outreach (TOT)

February 13, 2020

Acquire the information and materials needed to deliver training in your district on the Title III Increasing and Strengthening Parental Outreach. The session details the responsibilities local educational agencies have to provide parental outreach training and activities to support English learners (ELs), immigrant students, and their families. Participants will be provided the materials to deliver this session at their districts.  REGISTER

Title III Responsibilities under ESSA

February 19, 2020

Participants will review the responsibilities for Title III, Part A under ESSA.  The purpose,use of funds, activities, and evaluation measures will be some of the topics that will be covered in this training as well as the application process and compliance reporting. REGISTER

Title III Effective Early Childhood Instruction for the Young EL, Training of Trainers (TOT)

May 28, 2020
Acquire information and materials needed to deliver training in your district on the Title III Effective Early Childhood Instruction for the Young EL. Participants will examine appropriate instructional activities and considerations Title III, Part A funded local educational agencies may implement in order to ensure that young ELs attain high levels of academic achievement in English. Participants will be provided with materials to deliver this session at their districts. REGISTER

Title III: Using Quality Data to Drive Programmatic Decisions

August 4, 2020
During this session participants will review available data related to English language learners to drive programmatic decisions. Utilize data to determine instructional and intervention impact, and identify professional development strategies and activities to meet the needs of English language learners. Campus teams and district support personnel are encouraged to attend. REGISTER