ENGLISH LEARNER ROADMAP TEACHER TOOLKIT

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

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What was the genesis of the EL Roadmap Teacher Toolkits?

In the Fall of 2018, understanding the import of the aspirational and powerful new English Learner Roadmap, the California Teachers Association and Californians Together brought teachers together from throughout the state to make meaning of the new policy through the lens of the classroom.

Teachers articulated the need for tools and supports to enable teachers individually and collectively to engage in making meaning of the Roadmap, enacting classrooms aligned to the Roadmap, and being a voice for the conditions in schools needed to give life to the policy.

What is the purpose of the Teacher Toolkits?

These Toolkits are designed to:

• help teachers understand and make-meaning of the EL Roadmap Policy in classroom terms. Tools for individual and collective assessment of practices through the lens of the EL Roadmap principles enable teachers to hone in on their own professional learning needs and priorities

• help teachers think about the kinds of supports and services needed in their school to support English learners beyond the classroom

• provide resources teachers can access for their own learning and for their participation in school and district level dialogues about enhancing instructional practices and programs

Which grade-level spans are available?

There are three versions of the EL Roadmap Teacher Toolkit: the Elementary, the Middle School, and High School.

We also have an Administrator Guidance document on how to engage teachers in the EL Roadmap. There are plans to develop a Preschool Teacher’s Toolkit and an Administrator Toolkit in the near future.

What are the components of the Toolkits?

• The text of the policy itself as adopted by the State Board of Education (Vision, Mission, Principles and Elements)

• The Roadmap Principles as re-written specifically by and for teachers — speaking to teaching and learning, and the classroom environment

• A Self-Assessment Tool for each Principle for individual and collaborative reflection on where strengths and potential improvements might be made in teaching and classroom practice

• A resource list of programs, connections and supports for teachers related to implementing each Principle

How are the Toolkits to be used?

The Toolkits are designed so they can be used by individual teachers assessing their own practices and determining their own priorities for professional learning and for advocating for school improvements.

They can also be used collectively by a group of teachers supporting each other and coming to shared conclusions about priorities for professional learning and school improvements.

Staff meetings, grade-level meetings and team meetings are forums for sharing the Toolkit and the English Learner Roadmap policy overall. Pulling together selected Working Groups or teams to use the Toolkit may be more appropriate for planning.

Are the Toolkits available for purchase? If so, what is the cost?

Yes, the entire set of Toolkits includes the elementary, middle and high school toolkits with an administrator guidance resource for a cost of $30.00 which can be purchased from our Store here. As an option, separate toolkits can be purchased for $12.00 each: Elementary School Teacher Toolkit, Middle School Teacher Toolkit and High School Teacher Toolkit.

Will there be training on the Toolkits?

Yes, Californians Together, in partnership with five county offices of education across the state, has planned a non-consecutive two-day Institute. The Institute is intended for district teams that include 2 or more teacher leaders, the English Learner coordinator/specialist/TOSA and one or more principals.

The goals of the two-day Institute include:

• Increase awareness and understanding of the meaning and implications of the EL Roadmap policy for classroom teachers, for teaching and learning

• Facilitate the development of site- and district-specific plans for building teacher awareness of the Roadmap, and for strengthening professional learning and teacher supports to implement the EL Roadmap in their classrooms

• Support site and district teams in eliciting teacher perspectives and voices articulating the kind of services, programs and supports needed beyond the classroom to support English learners - that can inform site and district planning and resource allocation specific to the LCAP and aligned to the EL Roadmap.

You can find details on the Teacher Toolkit Institutes here. Registration will be handled at each county office. You must be able to attend both days of training.