Tuesday, October 30, 2018

October Board of Ed: LOOK act

update on where we are now, after Board updated regulations in June
new process for starting new programs
will provide support for districts around what research says; webinar, training
ongoing technical assistance
quick reference guides and forms
bilingual education endorsement for teachers
core content teachers who teach English learners in a language other than English must obtain the new endorsement
one year waiver allowed by Commissioner
grandfather clause for those with three previous years in a bilingual setting
transitional bilingual education and transitional bilingual learner endorsement are equivalent
guidelines for higher ed programs just sent out with rolling approvals
guidelines for MTEL

Seal of biliteracy: high level of proficiency in English and a second language beginning with class of 2019
two tiers: seal and seal with distinction: in order to get it:
English: all graduation requirements AND ELA competency OR proficiency determination
Second language: minimum of "intermediate high" on ACTFL (American Council on Teaching of Foreign Language) which is a 4 on an AP or several other assessments OR alternative method by Department

guidance around Parent Advisory Councils: proposed regs (603 CMR 14.09)

SEI endorsement for career vocational technical educators

West: do the two tests authentically assess the same thing (ELA MCAS doesn't test the same things that the foreign language tests do; are we testing literacy or something further); and are the standards the same?
McKenna: not adding another test; are there other ways to show this?

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