SEAL’s Senior Director of Research and Evaluation Martha Martinez participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by EdSource about how to teach reading to English Learners. This article and video, “Roundtable: Best practices for teaching English learners how to read” explores how “knowledge, language and reading comprehension are deeply connected”. READ More.
SEAL’s Senior Director of Research and Evaluation talks with EdSource about the importance of renewing the Bilingual Teacher Professional Development Program. In this article, “Proposed state budget could make becoming a teacher easier” explores how to help train more bilingual teachers and support the great need for more educators in California. READ More.
SEAL’s Executive Director talks with inewssource about the benefits of bilingualism. In this article, “CA wants majority of students to be bilingual. How is San Diego Unified doing?” explores California’s goal of making the majority of students bilingual. READ More.
August 2022
In this EdSource article by Zaidee Stavely, we read encouraging news that dual-language immersion programs “are so much in demand that some school districts have been able to stop declining enrollment or even grow enrollment in a school by beginning a dual-language program.” Three of our SEAL partner districts are featured in this article: Berryessa Union School District, Franklin-McKinely School District, and Newark Unified School District.
August 2022
A bill that would have helped school districts open more dual-language immersion programs failed to pass the California State Assembly last month. Senate Bill 952 would have established a program to offer at least 20 school districts technical assistance and grants of up to $750,000 each to expand or establish dual-language immersion programs. In this EdSource article by Zaidee Stavely, SEAL Executive Director, Anya Hurwitz, delivers our statement that SB 952 would have been a step forward to realizing the promise of an equity-focused multilingual educational system.
May 2022
In an EdSource commentary, SEAL Executive Director, Anya Hurwitz, shared a few key points from a published NABE Journal of Research and Practice article, “Keeping an Eye on Equity in Bilingual Education” that was co-authored by several SEAL staff members, including Martha I. Martinez, Joanna Meadvin, Corina Sapien, Heather Skibbins, and Adriana Diaz. Our call to action challenges policymakers, education leaders, teacher education programs, communities, and advocates to keep an eye on equity as we move towards promoting bilingualism and expanding dual language programs for all students, not just English learners.
April 2022
Since voters passed Proposition 58 in 2016 and the State Board of Education adopted the California English Learner Roadmap Policy in 2017, California has come full circle on its support of bilingual education. However, to meet the demand for bilingual (also known as dual immersion) programs, California will need to hire and train more bilingual teachers.
SEAL’s Director of Research & Evaluation, Martha I. Martinez and Director of Innovation & Strategic Design, Jennifer Diehl, talk about the role SEAL plays in training bilingual teachers so they are prepared when they enter their classrooms on day one.
January 2022
On January 10, 2022, Governor Newsom unveiled his 2022-23 budget that marshals historic levels of resources to support the education and care of California children. This budget aims to meet the unprecedented challenges these last two years have brought about. If these investments are implemented in thoughtful and strategic ways, the impact for our state could be tremendous.
SEAL’s Executive Director, Dr. Anya Hurwitz, along with several of our partners across the state, provided commentary for EdSource’s yearly column about the Governor’s Early Education and K12 budgets.
December 2021
SEAL is proud to participate in a new federal grant-funded project in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Center for Equity for English Learners to improve language and literacy achievement for English learners in Los Angeles Unified elementary schools and to increase the pipeline of highly qualified bilingual teachers. Our partnership is funded by a $3 million National Professional Development grant to deliver and research SEAL’s evidence-based professional learning for teachers, coaches, district and school leaders over five years. The Purposeful Engagement in Academic Rigor and Language Learning (PEARLL) project will serve 166 current teachers, district and site leaders across 25 sites.
December 2021
California is expanding transitional kindergarten, or TK, to eventually offer all 4-year-olds a free year of preschool before kindergarten. As California expands transitional kindergarten, English learner advocates are urging school districts to prioritize children learning English as a second language – about 60% of young children in California. Read the six strategies advocates recommend for schools to best serve 4-year-olds who are developing language skills in English and their home language.