This workshop will provide teachers and administrators with practical knowledge for making informed decisions about when to refer an ELL for a special education evaluation and why. Behaviors that may resemble signs of a disability need careful examination to rule out factors unrelated to the student's inherent abilities. Distinguishing between stages of language acquisition, cultural and linguistic diversity, learning gaps, and disabilities is complex and challenging. A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to examine and address external factors or systemic influences before making a referral.
The session will provide:
Information on the legal and regulatory requirements
Understanding the characteristics of second language acquisition
Identifying the clinical markers of disabilities
Explore the cultural dynamics, crosslinguistic features of bilingualism, optimal learning environments, effective interventions, and comprehensive assessment practices.
Participants should bring a device to access workshop materials.
For questions regarding this activity, please contact Alison Provencher.