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Program Update

The California State Seal of Biliteracy: Summary for the 2019-20 School Year

July 6, 2021 by Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez

Even during the closures of the pandemic, families and educators were able to recognize students for their years of academic achievements. In California, 414,193 students who entered high school in 2016 earned their high school diplomas in 2020; and 51,229 of those students graduated with a State Seal of Biliteracy, a distinction that recognizes proficiency in English and one or more other languages.  

Overall, 65,622 students received the State Seal of Biliteracy in 2020, higher than any previous school year (this total includes the 51,229 recipients who entered high school in 2016 and all other recipients who graduated in 2020 but entered high school in another year).   Of these Seal of Biliteracy recipients, nearly half (47 percent) were current or former English learners. 

Mastering fluency in one of the 41 different languages represented, including American Sign Language, is a tremendous accomplishment for any student. Speaking two or more languages has proven cognitive, social and economic benefits. Bilingual students have the ability to retain and manipulate varying pieces of information, do better academically in English and their home language, have better college going and completion rates, are preferred by employers and for language heritage students maintain strong connections to their family members, language and culture. These students are our future bilingual teachers, doctors, government employees, and artists. We celebrate all students who achieve proficiency in two or more languages, especially students who walked into their classrooms not knowing one word of English.

The State Seal of Biliteracy

In 2008, Californians Together spearheaded a campaign aimed at statewide adoption of a Seal of Biliteracy. Four years later in 2012, the State of California officially adopted its State Seal of Biliteracy. Thus far, 340 school districts have adopted the State Seal of Biliteracy and encourage students to become proficient in two or more languages.

 

California’s adoption of the State Seal of Biliteracy was a remarkable triumph considering the previous 18 years of English-only instruction. That triumph was made possible by changing public and political attitudes toward multilingual education. The passage of Proposition 58 in 2016, which repealed restrictions on bilingual education, demonstrated the evolution and demand for access to multilingual programs in California. Proposition 58 paved the way for the development and adoption of a new statewide English Learner policy, The English Learner Roadmap. The EL Roadmap adopted in 2017 is a policy that supports and guides districts and schools to offer comprehensive assets-based programs including those leading to biliteracy. 

 

Additionally, in May 2018, the California Department of Education launched Global California 2030. The initiative’s purpose is to equip students with world language skills that will enable them to more fully engage with and better appreciate the rich and diverse mixture of cultures, heritages, and languages in California. This initiative calls for more than tripling the number of students earning the Seal of Biliteracy, to 150,000 graduates by 2030.

Opportunity to Expand Access

There is a need to support and encourage more students to qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy. Moreover, there is still room for improvement in ensuring that all students have equitable access to opportunities that allow them to achieve this goal. For example, 63 percent of Seal of Biliteracy recipients who entered high school in 2016 were socio-economically disadvantaged, compared to 67 percent of all graduates and 69 percent of students who entered high school in 2016 (2020 four-year graduation cohort students). 

The table below provides a breakdown by ethnicity for all students who entered high school in 2016 (2020 four-year graduation cohort student):

Ethnicity  % of Seal of Biliteracy Recipients % of Graduates % of Cohort  Students
Latino 58.8% 52.7% 54.1%
Asian 17.9% 10.1% 9.2%
White 16.8% 24.1% 23.1%
Filipino 2.3% 3.2% 2.9%
African American 1.2% 5.2% 5.7%
Pacific Islander 0.3% 0.6% 0.9%
American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2% 0.5% 0.5%

The table shows the promise that the Seal of Biliteracy has provided to Latino and Asian students, while also highlighting opportunities to increase access to Filipino, African American, Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native students. 

Number of School Districts Offering the State Seal of Biliteracy

Out of the 420 school districts in California eligible to offer the Seal of Biliteracy, 340 are participating (a slight increase from 321 in 2018). It is hoped that the remaining 80 districts will adopt the Seal of Biliteracy and provide access for all students across the entire State of California.

Conclusion and Recommendations

California is moving toward multilingualism for all students. The rapid increase in the number of local educational agencies adopting the Seal of Biliteracy and the number of students qualifying for that designation is heartening. The state adoption of the EL Roadmap and Global California 2030 provides the framework for further work in elevating multilingual programs and supports the vision of a multilingual state with benefits to students and the state as a whole.

Below are recommendations to continue to support expanding access to the Seal of Biliteracy: 

  • Support 100% of California’s school districts to adopt the State Seal of Biliteracy. 
  • Have up-to-date lists of county offices, districts, and charter schools that have adopted the Seal of Biliteracy. 
  • Track and report the demographics of students who receive the Seal of Biliteracy. 
  • Expand resources for districts, schools, and classrooms to fully implement the English Learner Roadmap including multilingual programs leading to eligibility for the Seal of Biliteracy.
  • Keep the focus on Global California 2030’s goals by widely reporting on the status of goal attainment annually. 
  • Publishing and distributing informational materials for students in the lower grades to motivate them to develop proficiency in English and another language leading to state recognition with the State Seal of Biliteracy. 
  • Develop a multilingual communications campaign to reach parents of English learners to learn about the State Seal of Biliteracy and the importance and benefits of enrolling their children in multilingual programs to qualify for this recognition.
1 https://dq.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/dqcensus/CohRate.aspx?cds=00&agglevel=state&year=2019-20
2 https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/documents/ssbeldata201920.xlsx

Filed Under: Home-Latest, Program Update, Reports, Uncategorized

Alas y Voz provides resources for families of English learners (Spanish) during COVID-19

April 2, 2020 by Claudia Vizcarra

Click here to view our latest newsletter

Filed Under: Blog, Home-Latest, Newsletters, Program Update Tagged With: Corona Virus, Coronavirus, COVID-19

CRISIS DEL CORONAVIRUS: ¿Qué hacer con los niños en casa?

March 29, 2020 by Claudia Vizcarra

cover aprendiendo en casa

Esperamos que hayan hecho like a nuestra página en Facebook pues por este medio hemos estado y seguiremos compartiendo recursos que esperamos les sean de utilidad.

Para obtener recursos para apoyarle durante el corona virus con alimentos, apoyo económico, de salud mental, etc. visite nuestra página Recursos para Familias.

MANTENIENDO NUESTRO IDIOMA
MUCHO TIEMPO FRENTE A PANTALLAS
PARA LOS ADOLESCENTES
LA EDUCACION SOCIO-EMOCIONAL Y ESPECIAL
APRENDIENDO EN INGLES

MANTENIENDO NUESTRO IDIOMA

Con los niños en casa, tenemos la oportunidad de fortalecer su dominio de nuestro dominio.  Estos sitios tienen buenos consejos y recursos para apoyarte

  • el sitio de Colorín Colorado tiene muy buenos consejos
  • el sitio Bosque de Fantasías incluye una cantidad de actividades educativas que podemos desarrollar fácilmente en casa
  • PBS ha creado este sitio que incluye muchos videos organizados por área
  • el maravilloso sitio Brainpop es gratuito durante este cierre
  • el sitio Understood incluye muchos recursos para el aprendizaje en casa 
  • ésta lista tiene más recursos organizados por area de estudios
  • y esta otra lista incluye todavía más recursos en español

También nos gusta mucho lo que produce el Canal Once en México, así como los videos que produce el Ministerio de Educación de Perú y en Guatemala. También ésta lista de actividades divertidas y educativas que hacer en casa,  estos tips para saber ser un buen cuenta cuentos con nuestros hijos y cómo podemos aprovechar la cuarentena para que nuestros hijos desarrollen nuevas habilidades.  Finalmente, nos encantan los videos educativos que tienen en Mundo Divertidos de Niños.

 

MUCHO TIEMPO FRENTE A PANTALLAS

Con esta crisis, sabemos que nuestros hijos están pasando mucho tiempo en pantallas.  Aquí 4 consejos para sacar provecho de las pantallas y esto buenos consejos para evitar los berrinches cuando les quitamos las pantallas.

Gracias a Common Sense Latino por estos vídeos.

LA EDUCACION SOCIO EMOCIONAL Y ESPECIAL

Cuando se trata de la educación socio-emocional es bueno apoyar a nuestros hijos de manera divertida. Esta lista de 5 juegos les ayudará. Para estudiantes de educación especial, estos ejercicios de educación sensorial (inglés) son muy recomendados.

PARA LOS ADOLESCENTES

Muchas veces lo que encontramos se enfoca más en los pequeños. Por eso compartimos 9 maneras de lograr que los adolescentes lean.

APRENDIENDO EN INGLES

Finalmente, sabemos que aunque los maestros están haciendo su mayor esfuerzo por hacerles llegar el aprendizaje en inglés, en algunos casos esto no ha sido posible. Por eso compartimos estos recursos en inglés del grupo Scholastic que están organizados por grado, y también existe esta lista de visitas virtuales a diferentes lugares.

Filed Under: Home-Latest, Program Update Tagged With: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Resources

Video: Californians Together ayuda a Immigrantes y Refugiados

July 27, 2018 by Claudia Vizcarra

Filed Under: Home-Latest, Media Coverage, Program Update Tagged With: Immigrant/ Refugee Students

Upcoming Workshops and Lesson Plans on Family Separation – Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students

July 27, 2018 by Claudia Vizcarra

Please visit our events page to find registration links to the upcoming workshops

September 20 at Monterey COE Registration
September 24 at Kern COE Registration
October 17 at San Bernardino/Riverside COE Registration
October 24 at Butte COE
November 9 at Sacramento COE
December 12 at Ventura COE
December 13 at CSU Stanislaus
January 16, 2019 at San Mateo COE
January 17, 2019 Santa Clara COE
February 4, 2019 at Tulare COE Registration

 

Filed Under: Events, Home-Latest, Program Update Tagged With: Immigrant/ Refugee Students

2018 English Learner Advocacy Institute: Now Accepting Applications

March 27, 2018 by Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS – ENGLISH LEARNER ADVOCACY INSTITUTE

Applications are now being  now accepted for the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative (ELLLI) EL Advocacy Institute in San Jose, August 3-6, 2018.

Applications accepted: until April 27th, 2018. Awards will be announced in early May.

Are you a mid-career activist and advocate for the best education for all English Learners (ELs)? Looking to learn new skills, learn about the legacy of EL advocacy in California and join a community of other EL advocates?

APPLY TODAY

Californians Together, in collaboration with CABE, invites applicants to an extraordinary, four-day professional development event for selected leaders and advocates for quality education for English Learners. This is a fully-funded event (materials, meals, lodging), with support available as needed for transportation. Applications will be competitive, as there is capacity for the award of only 50 scholarships.

The institute will be based on design and materials developed for the English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative (ELLLI). (SEE: http://www.ellli.org/). ELLLI aims to equip anew generation of EL education leaders with an historical perspective and practical skills to further advocacy and action work at the local, regional and state levels on behalf of ELs and their families. The Institute features some of the state’s top EL authorities including current
ELLLI Fellows and Mentors.

Institute Format:

You will experience a four-day institute (noon Friday through noon Monday).
Participants must commit to attending all four days.

The institute includes presentations, discussions, case studies, film and hands-on activities that will further develop your understanding of the history and current context of EL education in California. The Institute aims to provide skills in planning and implementing advocacy campaigns, and to connect advocates to a growing community of EL advocates.

WHERE: The EL Advocacy Institute will take place at the beautiful Dolce Hayes Mansion Conference Center in San Jose. Lodging is in spacious double rooms. Pool and exercise facilities are available.

WHEN: Attendance is required at all daytime and evening events from noon, Friday, August 3 through noon, Monday, August 6, 2018.

The most competitive applicants will have:

  • Five or more years experience with EL education, in Pre-K through H.S. settings, in IHEs, or in community or advocacy organizations.
  • Some prior engagement in leadership and advocacy for EL education (e.g., CABE chapter, school, district, or county level, or non-governmental organization).

WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE:

Those admitted into the institute will receive all materials, lodging (double occupancy) and meals during the institute, and will be reimbursed for flights or ground transportation up to $300 each. Attendance will be fully funded for the most qualified individuals selected from among all applicants. Those who complete the four days will become ELLLI Partners, and will join an expanding ELLLI community, along with veteran EL advocates and mentors in our efforts to impact state-wide policy and practice in fostering quality education for English Learners.

HOW TO APPLY:

Electronic Applications available: March 26, 2018 – April 27th, 2018 5:00 PM

APPLY TODAY

All applications must be submitted on-line. No paper applications can be accepted.

Application deadline: April 27th, 2018, 5:00 PM.The Sobrato Family Foundation has provided generous support for ELLLI. Additional support for has come from the Stuart Foundation, the Heising-Simons Foundation and scores of individual donors.

Californians Together is a statewide advocacy coalition of powerful organizations from all segments of the education community including: teachers, administrators, board members, parents and civil rights non-profit groups. Our member organizations come together, united around the goal of better educating the almost 1.4 million English Learners by improving California’s schools and promoting equitable educational policy.

Learn more about the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative

Questions? Contact Norm Gold, ELLLI Project Director

Download the Press Release

Filed Under: Home-Latest, Press Releases, Program Update Tagged With: English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative

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