Recognized for their history of valuing biliteracy and multilingualism including the biliteracy expansion plan with practices, resources, and targeted professional development for both practitioners and site instructional leaders, grounding the framework of the biliteracy program in best practices.
ANAHEIM, CA – February 23, 2024 – In honor of valuable contributions to multilingual education, including providing research-informed professional development and recognizing student progress through biliteracy pathway awards, Californians Together is presenting Corona-Norco Unified School District (CNUSD) with the 2023-2024 Lynne Aoki Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy District Recognition Award. When districts prioritize language programs and work to build pathways to meet the needs of diverse learners, all students are in a better position to reach their full potential of attaining literacy in two or more languages. This award, named in the memory of education equity champion Lynne Aoki, serves to inspire districts across the state to adopt best practices to improve education for multilingual learners.
Presentation ceremonies for the LAMPBDRA will take place during the 2024 California Association for Bilingual Education Conference in Anaheim, California. Corona-Norco Unified will be highlighted on February 23, 2024 at the Seal of Excellence Awards and Recognition Banquet.
“On behalf of the Corona-Norco USD Board of Trustees and our entire team, we are honored to be recognized by Californians Together,” said Dr. Sam Buenrostro, CNUSD Superintendent. “We are committed to providing equitable opportunities and support for our English learners on their pathway to bilingualism and biliteracy, to ensure every student has the knowledge, skills, motivation, and resilience to thrive in a diverse global community.”
The Corona-Norco Unified School District met multiple criteria to qualify for the award including:
● Providing professional development programs to ensure staff can meet students’ needs
● Expansion of biliteracy programs throughout the district
● Recognizing linguistic assets and honoring student progress and milestones toward bilingualism
● Providing a clear articulation of pathway programs
The Corona-Norco Unified School District has had a history of valuing biliteracy and multilingualism, including their biliteracy expansion plan that clearly articulates the district’s language plan, practices, resources, and targeted professional development for both practitioners and site instructional leaders. Furthermore, the district developed a partnership with the Center for Teaching for Biliteracy to guide and support the development of biliteracy units and provide teachers with ongoing training on the implementation of the units, as well as on the basic components and philosophy of dual language education.
“We celebrate the Corona-Norco Unified School District for championing biliteracy and actively contributing to the development of robust dual language programs and comprehensive pathways. These initiatives empower every student to attain high levels of proficiency in two or more languages. Such efforts significantly enhance opportunities for students to achieve the Seal of Biliteracy,” stated Martha Hernández, Executive Director of Californians Together.
The district’s mission statement is a testament to their support of multilingualism as it aims to provide a quality education for all students within a secure and supportive environment; promote academic excellence, social growth, and responsible decision making; and prepare all students to lead productive lives in a diverse global community.
The 2019 Californians Together publication, Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy, shines a light on the opportunities districts have to leverage multilingual programs and biliteracy pathways to prepare students for academic and career success in a global economy. This resource provides guidance to develop comprehensive language programs and to create award eligibility criteria that demonstrate the values of biliteracy. This resource, and the Lynne Aoki Multiple Pathways to Biliteracy District Recognition Award, serve as crucial reminders of the work that needs to be done to ensure California leads the nation in supporting multilingual learners. Notably, California’s pioneering adoption of the State Seal of Biliteracy set a precedent, and we also celebrate that all 50 states in the nation have followed suit this year.
For more information please visit us at http://www.californianstogether.org or email us at [email protected]
Californians Together is a statewide advocacy coalition of powerful organizations from all segments of the education community including teachers, administrators, board members, teacher preparation faculty, parents, students, and civil rights non-profit groups. Our member organizations come together to champion the success of California’s 1.1 million English learners.
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