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November 2017

 MATSOL - Massachusetts Educators of English Language Learners 

Table of Contents

  1. MATSOL News
  2. Community News
  3. Links & Resources
 
Submission Welcome
Submit an item for publication in the monthly MATSOL E-Bulletin. Details... 
 

Submit a Proposal for the 2018 Conference

With the new, expanded three-day conference format, there are more opportunities to present! 

MATSOL encourages engaging, interactive presentations that make the theory to practice connection. Successful proposals include practical classroom activities informed by current research and pedagogy, demonstrations of successful instructional practices, examinations of current issues in education, and research that informs educators in the Massachusetts context. Presentations should engage the audience through hands-on or interactive activities when possible. 

Proposals Due: Midnight on December 1, 2017
Conference Presentation Days: Wednesday-Friday, May 30 - June 1, 2018

Find out more by reading the Call for Proposals and watching a recording of the webinar Creating a Successful Conference Proposal.


MATSOL News

MATSOL Calendar

  • Nov 11: Private Language Schools/Intensive English Programs Conference
  • Nov 13: Low Incidence SIG Meeting
  • Nov 15: Dual Language Special Education Network Meeting
  • Nov 27: Teacher Educator SIG Meeting
  • Dec 8: MELLC Meeting

View MATSOL Event Calendar - information & registration

On-Demand Webinars
If you missed our live webinars, you can watch the recordings on the MATSOLvideo YouTube channel: 

  • The Seal of Biliteracy: A Massachusetts Model of Collaboration 
    An introduction of the national Seal of Biliteracy movement and an overview of the Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy Pilot Project, including the updated resources and experience gained from the third year of the pilot.  Presented by the Language Opportunity Coalition. 
  • Creating a Successful Conference Proposal
    Learn about submitting a proposal for the MATSOL 2018 Conference. Topics: Conference Overview; Identify Topic & Audience; Prepare your proposal; Submit your proposal & Tips for presenting. Be sure to also download and read the Call for Proposals on the MATSOL 2018 Conference webpage!

Registration Open for MATSOL Spring Courses
Visit the MATSOL Course Catalog for information about our courses for ESL teachers, content area teachers, specialists, and administrators. View Course Catalog...

  • Supporting English Learners in Specialty Subjects & Support Services 
  • Early English Language Development for PK-K Teachers 
  • Academic Conversations in Classrooms with English Language Learners
  • Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Smart Card 
  • Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion TEACHER Endorsement Course
  • Massachusetts Sheltered English Immersion ADMINISTRATOR Endorsement Course

LOOK Bill in Conference Committee
The LOOK Bill H.3705/S.2070 An Act for language opportunity for our kids remains in conference committee as the House and Senate work to reconcile the two versions of the bill. Visit the Language Opportunity website for updates.


Community News

Graduation Requirements for High School Students from Puerto Rico
From the ESE Acting Commissioner: The Department has received inquiries about how students arriving from Puerto Rico should meet the Competency Determination that is required to receive a Massachusetts high school diploma. The Department is working with the Puerto Rico Department of Education to determine when records will be available for incoming students. In the meantime, districts should plan to administer the MCAS retest in November or March to students transferring from Puerto Rico who are in grades 11 and 12. The Department expects to issue additional guidance later this fall. More...

Advocacy Updates from MIRA Coalition
Visit the Massachusetts Immigration and Refugee (MIRA) Coalition's website for updated resources and news on immigration issues in Massachusetts.

  • URGENT: Take Action to Save Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
    Ending TPS would force parents from Central America and Haiti to choose between taking their children into dangerous conditions, or splitting up their families. See this TPS fact sheet for information. Email or tweet here: https://buff.ly/2yjSq9e or use AFSC's tool to call your Representative's office: (844) 817-8056.
  • Foreign-Trained Doctors & Nurses Seek to Reduce Barriers to Practice
    One of MIRA Coalition’s top priorities this session is to pass a bill to set up a commission to address barriers to licensure for health care professionals, so they be deployed in high-need areas. More.

Nov 10: Student Immigrant Movement 2017 Fundraiser
Join the Student Immigrant Movement to celebrate a year of defiance in the face of Trump, and welcome SIM's new leadership to the staff! $50 per person. November 10 from 6:00-10:00 PM in East Boston. Tickets available at bit.ly/sim2017celebration

Nov 15Immigration, Refugees and Democracy Workshop
The Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies, Salem State University
Faculty from the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies and ReImagining Migration Project will lead a day-long educational workshop on the effects of immigration on world events, visions of diversity and inclusion, and our legal system. The workshop will explore the challenges faced by different groups of immigrants, including Catholics, Jews, Latinx, Muslims, and Dreamers. During the day, educators will be introduced to primary sources and digital and traditional teaching techniques.

Nov 21: Our Shared Table: MIRA's 13th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
Every year, to kick off the holiday season, MIRA hosts a luncheon at the State House for newly sworn-in U.S citizens and other immigrants and refugees. Elected officials, MIRA members and supporters join us to celebrate our Commonwealth’s rich diversity, share personal stories and make new connections. All are welcome to join, at no cost, but we ask you to please register so we can plan for food and seating needs. More...

Lasell College Offer for MATSOL Members
Are your students Bilingual/English Learners with Disabilities?  Lasell College offers a 100% online certificate to prepare teachers with strategies to ensure equitable outcomes for English language learners (ELLs) with disabilities.  The Bilingual/English Learners with Disabilities Certificate (ELL/SPED) is comprised of four 6-week online courses.  MATSOL members receive a discount for PDPs. Next class begins October 25. To take advantage of the discount: 1) Sign up at the MATSOL website to verify members and qualify for the discount; and 2) visit the Lasell website to learn more about the course and register.

Upcoming

  • Mar 24: 7th Annual Southern New England Conference for Dual Language Programs More...
  • Apr 6: Mass Coalition for Adult Education NETWORK 2018 More...
  • Jul 23: 2018 International Systemic Functional Congress More...

Links & Resources

NEWSLETTER
TESOL Connections 
MATSOL members receive free access to TESOL Connections, TESOL International Association's monthly online newsletter. The latest issue includes Evaluating Mobile Learning Activities, Interactional Skills for EFL Learners and Understanding Marginalization: The Privilege Walk Activity
Read the latest issue...

GUIDANCE
Revised Guidance for English Learner Education
The Massachusetts Office of English Language Acquisition and Academic Achievement has released updated Guidance on Identification, Assessment, Placement, and Reclassification of English Learners (October 2017) View Guidance...

LIVE EVENT
Special Education and ELLs: Event Archive
From Colorín Colorado: 
Cristina Sánchez-López is a bilingual education expert with extensive experience delivering professional development focused on special education, serving dually-identified students, and culturally responsive RTI/MTSS. Our Facebook Live event with her addresses a number of questions from our audience about these topics. View resource...

REPORT
65.5 Million U.S. Residents Spoke a Foreign Language at Home in 2016
Newly released Census Bureau data for 2016 shows that a record 65.5 million U.S. residents five years of age and older spoke a language other than English at home. The number is up six million since 2010 and has increased by nearly 34 million since 1990. Massachusetts is one of the top ten states with the largest share of their populations speaking a foreign language at home (24%). View report...

REPORT
Dual-Language Immersion Programs Raise Student Achievement in English
In the largest random-assignment study of DLI education to date, RAND partnered with the American Councils on International Education and the Portland Public Schools in Oregon (PPS) to estimate the causal effects of the district's DLI programs on student performance over time in reading, mathematics, and science, and on English learners' reclassification as English proficient. View report...

FACT SHEET
Dual Language Learners: A National Demographic and Policy Profile
Dual Language Learners (DLLs)—those under age 8 with at least one parent who speaks a language other than English at home—make up 32 percent of the U.S. young child population and a growing share of children in most states. While these young learners stand to benefit disproportionately from high-quality early childhood education and care (ECEC), they are less likely than their peers to be enrolled in such programs—potentially contributing to lags in kindergarten readiness and later academic achievement. View report...

RESOURCE
Re-Imagining Migration: Talk, Teach, Learn

Re-Imagining Migration is a new organization created to foster understanding and the successful inclusion of immigrant youth across the globe. By providing resources and training to educators, we equip them to engage the children of migration and their peers to learn from one another in reflective learning environments. The goal of our work is to empower all students to become ethical and active participants in our interconnected world. View resource...

View past issues of the MATSOL E-Bulletin online!

 

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Stoughton MA 02072
www.matsol.org

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