EL RISE! (English Learner Roadmap Implementation for Systemic Excellence) will work with 20 COEs over the next three years to help them increase their capacity to meet the needs of English learners, as well as work directly with local educational agencies to build knowledge and develop local implementation plans, host professional development opportunities, and help with technical assistance and capacity building. The 20 COEs collectively serve 76.7 percent of California’s English learners.
An Aug. 18 webinar hosted by the initiative, “Developing Learning Continuity and Attendance Plans that Embrace our English Learners,” gave guidance on how to center equitable opportunities for ELs in the new plan (that replaces this year’s Local Control and Accountability Plan), required to be submitted by local educational agencies by Sept. 30.
The webinar highlighted research-based practices needed to support ELs and other students with special needs such as:
- Prioritizing students with the greatest needs
- Strong stakeholder engagement and family support
- Emphasizing relationship and community building
- Creating a system of guidance and support for teachers to implement best practices for ELs in distance and hybrid learning
- Ensuring access to equipment, materials and learning support
- Affirming and supporting development of students’ home languages
Californians Together analyzed the written reports from 80 school districts about distance learning this spring, that together represent 45 percent of the state’s ELs, and identified the following needs:
- Intentionally call out Integrated and Designated English Language Development time
- Emphasize live, interactive instruction
- Address the digital divide
- Proactive support for family collaboration
- Focus on socio-emotional supports
In order to assist LEAs in these areas, EL RISE! has made two Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan tools available to center equitable opportunities for English learners.
Tool #1 identifies best practices for ELs in distance learning and indicates where the practice fits into the Learning Continuity and Attendance Plan.
Tool #2 gives concrete examples of services and actions that address the needs of ELs.
Collaborating County Offices of Education:
- Anchors: Los Angeles, Tulare, Sacramento, Yolo
- Partners: Contra Costa, Kern, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Diego, San Mateo, RiversideR4EDC W
- Participating: Butte, Imperial, King, Merced, Orange, San Joaquin, Solano, Stanislaus, Ventura
