Why training California bilingual teachers just got harder – The Reporter

By Zaidee Stavely and Betty Márquez Rosales, EdSource

A program that prepares bilingual teachers for the growing number of dual-language classrooms in California is set to end this month, potentially worsening a chronic bilingual teacher shortage.

School districts in California have struggled for years to hire teachers with bilingual credentials. That’s a major obstacle to achieving the state’s goal, under the Global California 2030 Initiative, to enroll half of all K-12 students in “programs that lead to proficiency in two or more languages” by 2030. The same initiative has set a goal to increase the number of new bilingual teacher credentials from 700 in 2015-16 to 2,000 in 2029-30. In 2019-20, 1,075 bilingual credentials were issued, according to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Source: Why training California bilingual teachers just got harder – The Reporter

Torlakson Speaks at 2018 CABE Conference – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday (March 28, 2018) will speak with California bilingual teachers and meet with Mexican education officials to discuss ways to work together to help “the students we share.”

These discussions, which will take place at the state’s largest bilingual education conference, continue Torlakson’s efforts to forge closer ties with Mexican educators and to promote multilingual education.

Torlakson will address the California Association for Bilingual Education, which organizes the gathering of about 2,000 educators. The conference this year is titled “Embracing Multilingualism: From Policy to Powerful Practices.”

“Embracing multilingualism is what we do, and do well in California,” Torlakson said. “We embrace different languages, we welcome different cultures. We build bridges, not walls with our fellow educators in Mexico. People in California, parents, educators, business leaders, and community leaders understand that diversity is our strength.”

Source: Torlakson Speaks at 2018 CABE Conference – Year 2018 (CA Dept of Education)

New funds available to train bilingual teachers in California | EdSource

By Ashley Hopkinson

In the midst of a statewide teacher shortage, the new California state budget includes $5 million to address a shortfall of bilingual teachers, a shortage a new study concludes will continue following the passage of Proposition 58 and the expected growth of bilingual programs.

The new state law, in effect on July 1, lifted an almost 20-year ban on bilingual education and gives districts more flexibility to offer bilingual classes to all students. Under the old law English learners had to be taught in English, unless a parent signed a waiver to enroll their child in bilingual or dual language programs — classrooms where students are taught in English and another language such as Mandarin or Spanish. The goal is learning to read, write and speak in both languages.

The change came about because of Proposition 58, which voters approved last year by a vote of 73.5 percent to 26.5 percent. It implements the California Multilingual Education Act of 2016 and allows public schools to teach English learners and all students through multiple programs.

Source: New funds available to train bilingual teachers in California | EdSource

Fairfield school plans annual bilingual event – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

The annual event called ¡Vamos! – part of the Dual Immersion Program – returns from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday to B. Gale Wilson School, 3301 Cherry Hills Court.

Food, entertainment, a basket prize drawing, music, games and activities for the family are all featured elements of the program, according to an announcement from the school.

B. Gale Wilson School’s Dual Immersion Program is for kindergartners through eighth-graders and teaches Spanish/English biliteracy and culture to produce young adults who are highly capable in two languages, according to the announcement.

Source: Fairfield school plans annual bilingual event

Parent info sessions set for B. Gale Wilson bilingual immersion program – Daily Republic

By Daily Republic Staff

The Spanish-English Dual Immersion Program at B. Gale Wilson will host parent informational sessions in February.

This is a program for kindergartners through eighth-graders where children are taught in both English and Spanish and leave the program as bilingual, biliterate young adults. The program includes lessons in math, science and social studies.

via Parent info sessions set for B. Gale Wilson bilingual immersion program.

Bilingual education could make a comeback | EdSource

By Lillian Mongeau

After nearly two decades, bilingual education in California could stage a resurgence if the state Senate approves a bill in August that would put the issue on the ballot in November 2016.

Since the passage of Proposition 227 in 1998, schools have been banned from offering classes taught in a language other than English without express permission from parents, among other requirements. The initiative, which passed with 61 percent of the vote, overhauled a system where the default assignment for English learners was a class taught in their native language.

“We were outspent on advertising 24 to 1 and we still won one of the largest landslides in California political history,” said Ron Unz, the Silicon Valley businessman who sponsored the ballot initiative.

 

via Bilingual education could make a comeback | EdSource.