MATSOL continues to advocate for the rights of English language learners of all ages to have access to high quality educational opportunities. MATSOL supports program choice, including ESL, Two-Way, TBE and Structured Immersion, and recognizes that one program model does not fit all students.
Please see the web page for our Advocacy Committee for information on current activities.
MATSOL Policy Statement
The MATSOL Board of Directors developed the following policy statement on a variety of issues important to ELLs and the teachers working in the field K-12, in adult education, and in higher education. The policy statement informs all of the advocacy work and decisions made by the Board of Directors. Members are welcomed to provide us feedback via their SIG representative or by e-mailing us. We welcome continued dialogue on the many issues facing us as we strive for the best educational and economic opportunities for ELLs of all ages.
MATSOL continues to support program leaders and teachers in Massachusetts K-12, Adult, and Higher Education programs, including ESL, Two-Way, TBE and Structured Immersion programs.
MATSOL presented an educational session for school principals and superintendents regarding the rights of ELLs.
MATSOL coordinated the statewide MA English Learner Leadership Council (MELLC), a group of K-12 program directors, that brings together the voices of school leadership for ELL programs in the state and look at how to make a positive impact on the needs of ELLs.
MATSOL's SIG representatives on the Board of Directors held meetings at which members could share their experiences and make recommendations about areas where MATSOL could make a difference.
MATSOL Board members also represented our affiliate at the 2009 TESOL Conference, discussing advocacy issues and sharing our experience as an affiliate.
MATSOL continues to strengthen our organization's ability to advocate, by representing our members and their students on a variety of organizations and committees.
At the 2009 MATSOL Conference, members wrote postcards to the Joint Committee on Education, Secretary Paul Reville, Commissioner Mitchell Chester, the Board of Education and to individual legislators asking for increased attention to be paid to English language learners in MA. Over 700 postcards were sent and the bill (House Bill 486) that MATSOL is supporting was scheduled to have a hearing in October 2009.
MATSOL held an Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House in April 2009, attended by 25 members who talked to legislators about the needs of ELLs in our schools and upcoming legislative initiatives that support English language learners. By the end of the day members of this group visited all new Education Committee members to discuss the importance of looking at the ELL achievement gap and their role in increasing accountability for ELLs.
MATSOL continues to work collaboratively with META and other individual stakeholders and organizations who believe in program choice, and who recognize that one program model does not fit all students.
MATSOL continues to monitor and alert members of important advocacy issues and calls for action via its Advocacy Alerts and website.
MATSOL was invited to join the Massachusetts Secretary of Education's committee focused on ELLs in an advisory capacity.
MATSOL continues to respond to ELL issues via provision of written public comment, written recommendations and oral testimony at various public meetings.
MATSOL represented our members in Washington, D.C. when Rob Vitello, a Past President of MATSOL, participated in TESOL Advocacy Day 2009to lobby for Adult ESL. By the end of the day, TESOL members had visited the offices of more than 70 representatives and senators, focusing on the efforts to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA).
MATSOL continues to support state and federal legislation to support the Dream Act for undocumented high school students wishing to pursue higher education.
Past Advocacy Work
Completed initiatives:
Represented by Past President Kellie Jones at the conference on extended day programs, A New Day for Schools: The Expanded Learning Time Summit. Read her comments.
Supported increased funding in the state budget for professional development in order to build the competencies of Structured English Immersion (SEI) teachers who work with ELLs in SEI programs.
Supported state level funding and support of two-way bilingual programs and professional development funding for two-way teachers.
Advocated for two-way bilingual programs as an exception to Question 2/Chapter 71A.
With the Multicultural Education, Training and Advocacy Coalition (META) and Massachusetts Association of Bilingual Education (MABE), co-funded the filing of legislation to allow flexibility in Massachusetts in implementing ELL program models.
Advocated against changes that would weaken the competencies of ESL teachers in regard to licensure requirements.
Advocated in conjunction with the Massachusetts Coalition for Adult Education (MCAE) for increased funding for adult education at the state and federal levels to both increase the capacity of the adult education system and to reduce the waiting list for Adult Ed ESOL classes.
Ongoing initiatives:
Supporting the leaders in Massachusetts ELL programs is a key priority for MATSOL. including leaders who are directors and coordinators of ESL, Two-Way, TBE and Structured Immersion programs.
Continuing to work collaboratively with META and other individual stakeholders and organizations who believe in program choice, and who recognize that one program model does not fit all students.
Support state and federal legislation to support the Dream Act for undocumented high school students wishing to pursue higher education.
