Educators
Creating a welcoming classroom environment!
Look for ways to continue letting all of your ELL students and their families know that they are valued members of your class, school, and community:
- Getting a students names right is the first step in welcoming them to school. This reference guide from Regional Educational Laboratory Northwest can help educators accurately enter students` names in school, district, an state databases. The guide offers information on naming conventions for 11 languages.
- Continue efforts to make ELLs feel welcome and build relationships with students and families.
- Ask students how they can continue building community in their classroom, perhaps in private conversations or small focus groups.
- Share ideas with colleagues and administrators as you hear them.
Interpretation Services
All schools are required to provide interpretation and translation per state and federal law. According to the US Department of Justice and the US Department of Education, “schools must communicate information to limited English proficient parents in a language they can understand about any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of parents who are proficient in English. This includes, but is not limited to, information related to: registration and enrollment in school and school programs; grievance procedures and notices of nondiscrimination; language assistance programs; parent handbooks; report cards; gifted and talented programs; student discipline policies and procedures; magnet and charter schools; special education and related services; meetings to discuss special education, parent-teacher conferences; and requests for parent permission for student participation in school activities.” (US Department of Justice and US Department of Education).
To use the service, follow the steps below:
- Dial 800-514-9237
- Provide your access code (do not share this code with parents or students)
- Provide the language needed
- After this you will be connected with your interpreter.
Professional Development
- CDE EL PD Requirements
- AA CDE EL Program
- 45 Hour EL PD Site
- Outside Agencies:
- Self-Paced eWorkshops educators with a school district email address
- Colorado Chapter of The National Association for Multicultural Education (CO-NAME) - Conference Register soon!
*Complete this form to request a WIDA PD Account.
- What schools can do! - When Multilingual Learners (MLs) Refuse to Speak Their Home Language (TESOL International Association)