Dear SEAL Partners,

I am writing to share some exciting news.

SEAL is proud to announce that we will 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. Furthermore, this project builds upon an initial National Professional Development grant, Project ROYAL, and will support rolling the SEAL model up to grades 4 and 5 in those schools. The project represents an amazing opportunity to ensure the children of L.A. have access to learning that is culturally and linguistically affirming and asset based, and that we can continue to learn about the most impactful professional development experiences supporting educators in LAUSD and beyond who are doing the complex work of equity-focused schooling.

The Purposeful Engagement in Academic Rigor and Language Learning (PEARLL) project will serve 166 current teachers, district and site leaders across 25 sites, and is guided by three goals:

  • improving and increasing the use of evidence/research-based strategies in TK-fifth grade classrooms
  • engaging families in literacy activities with their children; and
  • creating a pipeline of newly authorized bilingual teachers

We are proud to partner with LMU’s Center for Equity for English Learners and LAUSD on this important project. Please sign up for our newsletter to hear about what we are learning along the way and ensure you receive all our updates.

Sincerely,

Anya Hurwitz
Executive Director