SEAL quarterly newsletter May 2023

From the Executive Director

Dear Partners,

The end of the school year is just around the corner. It has been a very busy and inspiring few months working with school districts, county offices and educators throughout the state, collaborating with education advocacy partners while continuing to expand our team of passionate experts in the field. Our collaborative work, strategic priorities and contributions across the field continue to be relevant, well-received and greatly needed.

Spring launched us into various in-person opportunities to share, learn and innovate. Recently, nearly 200 education leaders across California joined us at two separate convenings: the Early Learning Leadership Convening and the Bilingual Convening. Additionally, our team shared insights and practices from our research-based approach at seven interactive sessions during the 48th annual California Association for Bilingual Educators conference in Long Beach. We were happy to connect with so many friends to celebrate our collective work and partnerships. From there, we joined hundreds of researchers, practitioners and neuroscientists for a first-ever Reading League Summit to discuss important topics related to early literacy for English Learners/Emergent Bilinguals (EL/EBs). 

We are pleased to announce the release of our newest publication, From Frameworks to Classrooms: Promising Practices for California English Learners/Emergent Bilinguals in STEM. This brief aims to support educators enacting equitable and effective practices. The assets and needs of ELs/EBs must be at the heart of how we think about and implement education policies and practices in the state, and the new Math Framework is no exception. A partner toolkit for the publication has also been developed to help in your framing and sharing within your network. 

In closing, I want to share my deep gratitude and appreciation for my talented team who have the expertise, courage and drive to bring life and meaning to our evermore important mission.  

In partnership,

Anya Hurwitz

Advocacy. Policy. Research.

HOT OFF THE PRESS! OUR LATEST BRIEF. The California Department of Education will soon release a new Mathematics Framework that could significantly strengthen the pipeline of underrepresented English learners/emergent bilinguals (ELs/EBs) into STEM careers. SEAL’s latest brief focuses on research-based guidance from a 2018 National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) report and brings to life how California educators can align the proposed Math Framework policy with the realities of teaching and learning in the classroom. Authored by SEAL Program Manager Dr. Joanna Meadvin, the brief shares how SEAL teachers cultivate inclusive and affirming classroom cultures that celebrate multilingualism as an asset; actively engage with math and science curricular materials, transforming them to be responsive to students’ language and content needs; and provide ELs/EBs with multiple opportunities for rigorous, scaffolded engagement with math and science content.

NEW SEAL BRIEF COMING SOON. Community schools present a unique opportunity to strategically and systematically re-invest in school-family partnerships. SEAL, in partnership with the Community Schools Learning Exchange, will release a new brief providing helpful guidance and resources for educators and administrators seeking to expand school-family partnerships as part of their community school strategy. Centering Multilingual Families in California Community Schools will be available soon. To be one of the first to receive a copy, please sign up HERE!

ADVOCATING FOR EQUITABLE POLICY. SEAL is proud to partner with many mission-aligned education champions to collaborate on timely issues, advocate for cutting-edge policy and practice solutions grounded in research, and provide capacity-building support to multiple levels of the educational system. This year, there are various crucial bills that will impact our schools, students and families. Read more, download the toolkits, and join us to raise awareness. For more information, contact SEAL Head of External Relations Patty Chavez.

• AB 370 (Addis) – Biliteracy Inclusion Act
• AB 393 (Rivas) – Childcare: Dual Language Learners
• AB 714 (McCarty) – Pupil Instruction: Newcomer Students
• AB 1106 (Soria) – Early Childhood Education Specialist Credential Pathway
• AB 1127 (Reyes) – Bilingual Teacher Professional Grant Program

EARLY LITERACY WHITE PAPER. Young, multilingual children in early childhood programs deserve well-rounded, developmentally appropriate instruction that builds on their language assets. The National Committee on Effective Literacy published a full paper and an Executive Summary to inform early childhood practitioners, educational leaders, curriculum developers, and policymakers about early literacy development and effective literacy instruction for young children learning English as a new language in early childhood classrooms. Early Literacy Development and Instruction for Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Education authored by Socorro G. Herrera, Ed.D., Laurie Olsen, Ph.D., and Sonia Soltero, Ph.D. and SEAL Senior Director of Research and Evaluation Martha Martinez, Ph.D., offers a comprehensive research-based approach to early literacy instruction for dual language learners.

Download your copy! 

SEAL in the Field.

THE READING LEAGUE SUMMIT 2023. SEAL joined hundreds of experts, researchers, practitioners and neuroscientists for a first-ever Reading League Summit to discuss important topics related to early literacy and English Learners/Emergent Bilinguals (ELs/EBs). The summit allowed continued collaborative conversations on policy, neuroscience, foundational skills, and language development. SEAL Senior Director of Research and Evaluation Martha Martinez, Ph.D. and Early Learning Program Manager Patricia Montes Pate were among the national panelists who shared their work, research and best practices for supporting ELs/EBs. READ HERE for a synopsis of their presentations and Toolkit to share in your networks.

CABE2023. SEAL proudly offered seven interactive workshops for educators, families and community partners at the 48th annual conference hosted by California Association for Bilingual Educators (CABE). More than 6,000 attendees participated in this four-day event focused on growing, expanding and advocating together to support multilingual education. Read more about our sessions HERE. 

SEAL CONVENING SNAPSHOT. Nearly 200 educators joined us for two separate convenings. The Early Learning Leadership Convening brought together early learning leaders from across California. The full-day convening unpacked effective literacy instruction and explored SEAL’s comprehensive approach to language and literacy. Keynote speaker Dr. Laurie Olsen highlighted the importance of oral language and early literacy. Educators filled the Doubletree in San Jose in early March for the two-day Bilingual Convening. Keynote speaker Dr. Susan Hopewell spoke on enacting best practices for holistic bilingual assessment and capitalizing on cross-language connections.  

EDUCATOR TRAINING COMPLETION AND CELEBRATIONS. English Learners/Dual Language Learners are thriving thanks to these passionate individuals’ hard work and commitment – In February, we celebrated Educare Los Angeles at Long Beach and Los Angeles Unified School District cohorts who completed their professional learning series to enhance their deep, equity-focused dual language practices. The Azusa Unified School District cohort of TK to 1st grade educators celebrated the completion of our six-part training in just one year! 

SACRAMENTO GATHERING OF CHAMPIONS! SEAL joined hundreds of CA education leaders for the California Department of Education Bilingual Coordinators Network (BCN) in Sacramento. The two-day gathering allowed everyone a renewed in-person connection, deep discussions on Authentic Language Development, Newcomer and Refugee Support, and an impactful History of Bilingual/EL Education by Dr. Laurie Olsen! It fills us with joy to partner with dedicated and passionate education champions from across the state. We look forward to being part of the upcoming BCN quarterly meeting. 

Resources and Tools.

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