HV RBERN Update

Greetings!

HV RBERN Reminders and Updates

The HV RBERN is pleased to announce the following new workshops:

The Language Proficiency Team: Identifying Language Needs in Students with Disabilities

NYS Commissioner’s Regulations Subpart 154-3 includes criteria for determining whether a student with a disability should take the statewide English language proficiency identification assessment (NYSITELL).This workshop will provide a close look at the steps districts should follow when a new student enrolls with an IEP, who may have second language acquisition needs. We will discuss specific scenarios, review sample documents and respond to district-specific questions.

This workshop is offered to individual districts, upon request, in order to ensure that the members of the LPT are available to participate together at their convenience to develop protocols and ensure the process is consistent across the district.

Participants can receive 1 hour of CTLE credit.

Pre-Referral Considerations for English Language Learners

This workshop will explore how educators can gather evidence and carefully distinguish when an ELL student is struggling academically, if language acquisition, cultural and linguistic diversity, gaps in learning or an actual disability or disorder is at the root cause. We will identify factors that must be considered in developing a district protocol prior to referring an ELL student for a Special Education evaluation.

This workshop is offered to individual districts, upon request, that wish to gather the team of educators involved in the Response to Intervention team or Pre-Referral committee to ensure that key members are available to collectively review or revise a pre-referral process that is consistent across the district.

Participants can receive 2 hours of CTLE credit.

Please contact Alison Provencher at AProvencher@swboces.org to set a date and time for either of these workshops. Options for scheduling are very flexible.

Updates from OBEWL

Instructional Units of Study Guidance

As per Commissioner’s Regulations (CR) Part 154, English Language Learners (ELLs) must be provided the required instructional Units of Study in their English as a New Language (ENL) or Bilingual Education (BE) program based on their most recent English language proficiency level as determined by the most current NYSESLAT or NYSITELL assessment. This guidance document addresses instructional experiences in ENL Units of Study in various learning models, including services for former ELLs (years 1 and 2).

Comprehensive ELL Education Plan (CEEP)

Each district must complete the annual CEEP, which the district superintendent submits via the NYSED Business Portal no later than December 15.

ELL Support

As advocates for ELLs and immigrant families, it is important to consider how the pandemic has affected our most vulnerable populations. With this in mind, please consider the following piece from the Washington Post, shared by our colleagues at the Mid-Hudson Migrant Education Program. For support and resources regarding migrant students, please contact https://www.nysmigrant.org/mets/mid-hudson.

Please contact the HV RBERN for support or with any questions you have.

HV RBERN Update

Greetings!

HV RBERN Reminders and Updates

Update from OBEWL

The Office of Bilingual Education and World Languages has released a Parent Waiver for the New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners (NYSITELL) for potential ELLs learning in a remote environment. This waiver is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese; additional languages are forthcoming. In the event that a district is not able to administer the NYSITELL to a potential ELL, students are provisionally serviced based on information gathered during the screening interview. ENL Service eligibility letters are available in ten languages. Please contact the rbern@swboces.org with questions.

Comprehensive ELL Education Plans (CEEP)

Districts are required to develop a Comprehensive ELL Education Plan (CEEP) annually to meet the educational needs of ELLs. OBEWL requires the submission of CEEP assurances and focused narratives each year. The 2020-2021 CEEP is available now in the NYSED Business Portal and must be submitted by each district no later than December 15, 2020.

Events

NYS TESOL 2020
11/13/20 & 11/14/20, 9:00-4:00 PM
NYSTESOL 15% off Conference Registration for friends and family!
Use the code: Promo2020
Find more information here.

Professional Development

ETAC: Chronic Absence Virtual Meeting Community Series Webinar
10/22/20, 12/17/20, 2/4/21, 5/20/21, 1:00 PM
In partnership with the National Center for Community Schools (NCCS), the ETAC will conduct a virtual meeting series on attendance and chronic absence. To register click here.

Please contact the HV RBERN for support or with any questions you have.

HV RBERN Update

Greetings!

This afternoon from 3:30-4:30, we have a Q&A session scheduled for questions regarding NYSITELL. If you would like the connection information, please email klowell@swboces.org.

As a reminder, the HV RBERN team is holding Office Hours twice monthly on Monday afternoons, from 3:00-4:00 PM. We have office hours this Monday, October 5, 2020Please see our events calendar for other dates. During Office Hours, HV RBERN staff will be available to answer questions and to serve as thinking partners. If you have an inquiry or a topic that you want to discuss with RBERN team members, please complete this survey. Our team will then send you the Office Hours' connection information. Last minute drop-ins are welcome.

Upcoming HV RBERN Online

Visit Workshops/Events on our website for additional events.

Other Professional Development

The City University of New York - Initiative on Immigration and Education (CUNY-IIE) is offering free virtual professional learning opportunities to educators across New York State. Upon successful completion of an immigration and education focused module, teachers, administrators and counselors will earn 20 Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits. The modules will include 8 mandatory hours of online synchronous sessions and an additional 12 hours of asynchronous small group and independent work. Educators can sign up for one module of the following modules (spaces are limited):

  • Key Immigrant Issues

  • Immigration in Elementary Education

  • Immigration in Secondary Education

  • Approaches to Educating Refugees and Immigrants (preference given to educators in Western NY)

For more information about the modules and deadlines to register click here. Email questions to cunyiiectle@gmail.com.

SUNY Buffalo State will host a Bilingual Special Education Online Winter Institute for teachers to obtain their bilingual extension. The program will be 100% online with a start date of November 2, 2020. Please view flyer here.

Resources

The September OBEWL Newsletter has been posted. The newsletter features topics related to waivers, information about the forthcoming Reopening of Schools FAQ, RBERN On Demand, Equity for Immigrant Students, World Languages PD opportunities, and the NYS Seal of Biliteracy.

Career Opportunities

ENL Teacher (TESOL/ESOL)
Pelham UFSD
View job posting here.

Adult Literacy Instructor—ESL
Adult Literacy Instructor—TASC (English and Spanish)
Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES
View job postings here.

Please contact the HV RBERN for support or with any questions you have.