March 2016

Welcome to the monthly E-News for the Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network (RBERN), located at OCM BOCES in Syracuse, NY.

Please share this information with colleagues in the field. You can also send us items that you'd like us to include in next month's E-News. Mid-State RBERN can be reached at:

• Phone number: 315-433-2664
• Fax number: 315-431-8449
• Email: rbern@ocmboces.org
• Website: http://rbern.ocmboces.org

Thank you for your interest in the education of New York's English Language Learners.

Dear Colleagues:

This month’s topic: Testing for ELLs/MLLs

It’s that time of year where state tests are just around the corner! This month we’ll be highlighting some resources to help you and your students succeed, not just with those tests designed for ELLs/MLLs, but also the ELA           and Math Assessments for grades 3-8 and the Regents Exams for High School students.

For all your NYSESLAT and NYSITELL needs check out our Resource Spotlight.

You may have noticed last month  that we’ve recently added some new sections to our E-News to help highlight some important information, strategies, and news, all related to the monthly topic. There is a Content Corner, Home Strategies, Newcomer Nook, Tech Tips, and an Administrator section!

New York State Testing

NYSESLAT Testing Dates:

• Speaking 2016:    April 12-May 13
• Reading, Writing & Listening 2016:     May 2-May 13

ELA and Mathematics Tests:

• Grades 3-8 ELA:   April 5-7
• Grades 3-8 Mathematics:   April 13-15.

For ELA and Math Tests:

• Untimed
• Fewer questions and reading passages

See Here for more information.

RBERN Announcements
SAVE THE DATE FOR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS!

Bilingual Education Institute-Dual Language Programming featuring Dr. Sonia Soltero

March 16 & 17 by invite only

This two day institute facilitated by dual and bilingual education expert Dr. Sonia Soltero of DePaul University will guide participants through the design and implementation of dual language programs. Participants will explore and discuss the following topics: Current Research on the Benefits of Bilingualism and Biliteracy, Current Trends and Research on Dual Language Education, Seal of Biliteracy, Dual Language Fundamentals: Goals and Models, Creating Sustainable Quality Dual Language Programs, Leadership and Administrative Supports, Teacher Qualifications and Professional Development, Instructional Materials and Resources, Short Term and Long Term Planning, Family and Community Participation, Student Assessment and program Evaluation.

NYSESLAT Turnkey Training

Statewide NYSESLAT Training of the Trainer, a Two-Day Event Presented by Metritech, the developer of the NYSESLAT. Participants must be responsible for training the scorers for the Spring 2016 NYSESLAT in their respective districts and should be a qualified and experienced scorer and/or scoring trainer.

• Option 1 – Mid-West Region March 21–22
  
  For more information contact:
  Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES 
  Mid-West RBERN
  3599 Big Ridge Road, Spencerport NY 14559
  Phone: (585) 352-2704 
  Fax: 585-352-2613
  Email: VKellers@monroe2boces.org

• Option 2 – At OCM BOCES March 30 & April 1
  
  Seating is limited. Districts are permitted to send only one representative to one of the two trainings offered by Mid-State RBERN. Participants must be responsible for training the scorers for the upcoming Spring 2016 NYSESLAT in their respective districts and should be a qualified and experienced scorer and/or scoring trainer.

The purpose of these training sessions will be to train participants to become familiar and apply the content and dimensions of the Speaking and Writing Rubrics from the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT). By using rubrics to reliably and validly score the constructed-response items in the Speaking and Writing subtests, participants will learn how to conduct training for local educators.

The training sessions will be administered by Mid-State RBERN resource specialists who will provide overall facilitation of the training sessions. Foci of the training will include:

1. To review the structure and design of the NYSESLAT;
2. To provide training on the content and dimensions of the Speaking and Writing Rubrics;
3. To demonstrate the application of the Speaking and Writing Rubrics to selected audio and written student responses; and
4. To provide outlines of how local educators should be trained to score Speaking and Writing, and how local scoring of Writing should be conducted/executed.

Integrating English Language Development and Content Area Learning: A Conversation-Based Approach

February 1-June 16, offered by Stanford University

This is designed to help teachers use conversations to develop students' language, literacy, and thinking skills within content area classrooms. The course addresses how to create a culture of conversation in your classroom, as well as how you can use conversations to teach the skills of interpretation, argumentation, and application across disciplines.

Constructive Classroom Conversations: Mastering Language for College and Career Readiness (Spring 2016)

February 18-May 3, offered by Stanford University

This course looks closely at student-to-student conversations and addresses ways to improve students' abilities to engage in the types of interactions described in the new standards.

Don’t forget to visit the RBERN Library to check out books and other resources. We even have iPads we can loan out for you to pilot in your classroom.

TESOL International Convention, 2016: Reflecting Forward

April 5-8, Baltimore, Md.

Language Learning and Language Disability Conference – SAVE THE DATE!

May 6 at OCM BOCES

The conference will feature three tracks of learning specifically designed by resource and instructional specialists at The Mid-State RSE-TASC and RBERN for ENL and Content area teachers, Special Education teachers and Administrators to ground them in their understanding of ELLs and SWDS. Then participants in their respective district teams will apply key takeaways and apply them to address key questions to consider when determining if an English Language Learner is having difficulty in school based on common second language acquisition issues and/or if the learner is showing signs of a learning disability. In addition, teams will take steps in the development of a district data collection tool with the guidance of keynote speaker, Dr. Audrey Cohan of Molloy College.

Scaffolding Instruction in the Integrated ENL Classroom Workshop

May 12 at OCM BOCES

Minimum Requirement for Participation: Co-teaching teams must consist of an administrator, ESOL and Content Area Teacher. Overview Co-teaching teams will review and discuss the shifts in the CCLS, their impact on ELs and how to effectively teach academic language to ELs in tandem with content. Teams will participate in activities exploring how to choose appropriate academic vocabulary to teach ELs and how to scaffold instruction for ELs at different levels of proficiency. Alignment to the Blueprint for ELL Success: Principle 3: Districts and schools engage all English Language Learners in instruction that is grade-appropriate, academically rigorous, and aligned with the New York State Prekindergarten Foundation for the Common Core and P- 12 Common Core Learning Standards.

Planning for Effective Instruction of ELs in 2016-17 Workshop

June 1 at OCM BOCES

Reflecting upon the implementation of CR Part 154 in 2015-16, participants will examine their building schedules to ensure ENL teachers can collaborate effectively with content teachers. Alignment to the Blueprint for ELL Success: Principle 2: All school boards and district/school leaders are responsible for ensuring that the academic, linguistic, social, and emotional needs of ELLs are addressed.

NYS TESOL 46th Annual Conference

2016: Collaboration in the ENL Classroom and Beyond, Syracuse, November 4 & 5, 2016

Resource Spotlight

NYSESLAT

• NYSESLAT Webinettes
• NYSESLAT 2016 General Information
• NYSESLAT Resources 

NYSITELL

• NYSITELL Resources

Content Corner

A new article, “Fair and Square Assessments for ELLs”  by Diane Staehr Fenner, suggests three strategies to help teachers assess their ELLs.

NYSED has recently posted computer based Question Samplers for ELA and Math, grades 3-8. These allow students to practice taking ELA and Math tests on the computer which will be required in the future.

So many different ways to assess, which one do I use?! This Assessment Glossary provides definitions and examples for each type of assessment.

Check out the Authentic Assessment Toolbox to learn how to use them in the classroom.  It includes examples from different grade levels and content areas.

Home Strategies

The US Department of Education has written a helpful article for parents called: Helping Your Child with Test Taking. Parents can assist their children by following some of the Dos and Don’ts provided.

Understanding Assessment by Edutopia is another excellent article for parents of ELLs. It provides resources to help parents understand different kinds of assessments and to help with what questions to ask teachers.

A brochure for parents which explains all about the NYSESLAT Exam is located here:  Information for Parents on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) in 26 Languages

Newcomer Nook

Glossaries containing content-area vocabulary words and the same words translated into the students’ home languages can be used in New York State assessments except the NYSESLAT.   Please see NYS Bilingual Glossaries,

Technology Review: Ellevation Software is one tool used by some schools in the region to store and share their school’s ELL assessment data. click here

Formative assessment for the 21st century!  Bethany Petty shares 3 sites in her blog on Edutopia to engage students in interactive assessments.

Colorin Colorado offers an article about computer-based Common Core Testing here.

For Administrators

Administrators have a key responsibility to create an environment helpful to ELL success.  Here is an Assessments Toolkit for school leaders to communicate the importance of taking the Grade 3-8 ELA and Math assessments.

ELL eligible students who have been attending school in the United States for less than one year on April 1, 2016, may use the NYSESLAT in lieu of the 3–8 New York State ELA Test.  Testing Accommodations for ELLs and former ELLs on State Assessments are located here.

Need help understanding all the different assessments available at the elementary level? This document provides a list of universal screening, diagnostic, and progress monitoring assessments. It explains the differences between each one and offers links and resources to help you gain a deeper understanding.

Colorin Colorado has compiled several excellent articles about assessments for English Language Learners. Click here

NYSED News

• 2015-16 Elementary/Intermediate Testing Schedule
• 2016 Regents Exam Schedule
• Math Curriculum Module Updates
• Social Studies Resource Toolkit

Regional News and Events

2016 NYSABE Conference in Buffalo   Save the Date! 
May 21, 2016 - The New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) will be hosting a dual conference titled: Changing Policies, New Directions: Bilingual Education Paving the Way to Every Student’s Success.  Further details and registration will be forthcoming.

References

• Engage NY
• Colorin Colorado ELL News Headlines
• Education Week: Learning the Language Blog
• ESL Rural Mural for Administrators of ELLs
• Bureau of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance
• Language Magazine

Coming Next Month

Our topic will be: Culturally Responsive Instruction

Check out Mid-State RBERN’s blog!

Here’s the ISS Blog and here are the Mid-State RBERN Entries. Please let us know what you think!