Multilingual & English Learner Support ServicesSan Mateo County Office of Education supports districts in ensuring English learner success by providing information on state and federal requirements, policies, and best practices and by creating opportunities for administrators, educators, counselors, and other school staff to network and share their experience and knowledge with each other. 

Resources and professional learning opportunities, including support for the CA English Language Development standards, the English Learner Roadmap, and the State Seal of Biliteracy are available to support and sustain leadership, curriculum and instruction, and achievement for English learners.

Multilingual English Learner Consortium (MELC)

Target Audience: District Administrators, site administrators, teacher leaders and coaches

The goal of the Multilingual English Learner Consortium is to support districts in aligning their current practices with state and federal policy and going beyond to ensure English learner success. These meetings provide current information and resources for supporting multilingual learners and opportunities for discussion and networking across the county. Occasionally, guest speakers are invited to provide expert advice on current issues.

Our SMCOE MELC Meetings alternate with our Regional MLLN (Multilingual Learner Leadership Network) Meetings, with the opportunity to connect and network with colleagues from around the region. 

Register for MELC Meetings                                                          Register for MLLN Meetings

MLLN Regional Meeting: September 8, 2023

MLLN

MELC County Meeting: October 6, 2023

MLLN Regional Meeting: December 8, 2023

MELC County Meeting: January 12, 2024

MELC County Meeting: February 9, 2024 1:30-3:00 P.M.

MLLN Regional Meeting: March 1, 2024 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M.  

MELC County Meeting: April 19, 2024 1:30-3:00 P.M.

MLLN Regional Meeting: May 10, 2024 10:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. 

If you would like to be added to our listserv, please email earenas@smcoe.org.

Professional Learning Opportunities 

Communities of Practice

Name When Dates Registration link

Secondary ELD Trainers
(Regional Partnership)

Tuesdays
9-11 am

Session 1: Sept. 19
Session 2: Oct. 25 (Wednesday)
Session 3: Dec. 5
Session 4: Feb. 6
Session 5: Mar. 12 
Session 6: Apr. 23

Register

English Learner Master Plan
(Regional Partnership)

Thursdays
9-11am

Session 1: Oct 19
Session 2: Dec 11 (Monday)
Session 3: Feb 8
Session 4: Apr 18

Register

Newcomer Education Community of Practice

Tuesdays
9-11am

Session 1: Oct 17
Session 2: Nov 28
Session 3: Dec 19
Session 4: Feb 20
Session 5: Apr 9

Register

Multilingual Learner Leadership Institute 2024

January 18 - 19, 2024

Slides & Recordings 

 

El Rise English Learner Roadmap Implementation for Systemic Excellence

Professional Development through EL RISE!

From 2020 - 2023, the EL RISE! (English Learner Roadmap Implementation for Systemic Excellence) team designed research-based professional learning materials to build capacity to implement the EL Roadmap across the state. While the grant has ended, resources on the EL RISE! Microsites are available to all! Check out the 25 different offerings here

English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC)

The English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC) is the required state test for English language proficiency that must be given to students whose primary language is a language other than English. 

Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC 

The purpose of the Initial ELPAC is to determine the English proficiency of students entering California schools for the first time who have a primary language other than English. Identifying students who need help learning in English is important so students receive the support they need to do well in school while receiving instruction in all school subjects. California state law requires that schools administer the initial ELPAC within 30 calendar days of a student's enrollment. Learn more here: Initial ELPAC and Initial Alternate ELPAC.

Interim ELPAC

Interim assessments are designed to support teaching and learning throughout the year. The ELPAC Interim Assessments are aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards and are organized by domain—Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing—for each of the following grade levels and grade spans: Kindergarten; 1st; 2nd; 3rd-5th; 6th-8th; 9th-10th; 11th-12th. The ELPAC Interim Assessments will be available for preview on September 19, 2023, with full access to administer on October 19, 2023.

California State Seal of Biliteracy and Biliteracy Pathways

The State Seal of Biliteracy (SSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. This achievement is marked by a gold seal on the diploma or transcript of the graduate. The CDE has released the new SSB requirements for the 2023-24 school year to align with the passing of Assembly Bill 370, along with updated SSB Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

California State Seal of Biliteracy logoThe rationale behind celebrating biliteracy is to:

  • Recognize and value students' biliteracy skills
  • Encourage students to study languages
  • Encourage family and community support of the development of the home language and the study of additional languages
  • Certify attainment of biliteracy
  • Strengthen intergroup relationships, affirm the value of diversity, and honor the multiple cultures and languages of a community
  • Provide universities with a method to recognize biliteracy
  • Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills
  • Prepare students with 21st-century skills

Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions

The Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions are established to recognize preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school students who have demonstrated progress toward proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in one or more languages in addition to English. The three Biliteracy Pathway Recognitions available are: Biliteracy Program Participation Recognition, Home Language Development Recognition, and Biliteracy Attainment Recognition.

SMCOE Seal of Biliteracy and Pathway Awards 

San Mateo County Office of Education, in partnership with participating districts, implements a progression of Pathway Awards and gives the Seal of Biliteracy to qualifying high school seniors upon graduation. 

Resources

Sarah Ansari, Ed.D

Coordinator, English Learner Support Services

Email: saansari@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5378

Carla Llewelyn-Vasquez

Coordinator, Language and Literacy

Email: clvasquez@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5626

Ellen Arenas

Administrative Assistant

Email: earenas@smcoe.org

Phone: (650) 802-5332