NEWS TO USE & KNOW

March 7, 2019

ARE YOU A CLTA MEMBER WHO NEEDS A SCHOLARSHIP (AP) TO SPAIN?

CLTA still has ONE scholarship available for an AP Spanish language and culture  or AP Literature teacher for Summer 2019.  This CLTA opportunity will remain open for approximately three weeks, or until filled, as long as there is availability and enough time to complete the pre-requirements.

Centro MundoLengua Study Grant Study AP Spanish in Spain!

State Seal of Biliteracy

There have been some concerns brought to CLTA’s attention about changes to the the State Seal of Biliteracy so we would like to try to shed some light on this with the hopes you will continue to participate in this wonderful program.  Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, there must be an oral component in order to receive the Seal. If your students take the AP/IB Exams, this is sufficient to meet the oral proficiency requirement. For those choosing to meet the requirement other ways (such as 4 years of non-AP language or SAT II Language), each school or district may create its own method of determining oral proficiency.  The State has not created or mandated a specific assessment, but has suggested students complete the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Exam as one way of demonstrating oral proficiency. For more information, please go on-line to https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/el/er/sealofbiliteracy.asp.

For those not currently participating in the program, there is no cost to students, schools, or districts so we encourage you to visit the website https://www.clta.net  for more information on how you can participate and award your students the California State Seal of Biliteracy.

Tom Beeman, Advocacy Chair, California Language Teachers’ Association 
(562) 215-4978    –     advocacy@clta.net

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APPLY!

You belong at the table!

Please apply to serve on the World Languages Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (see below).

This committee will help to shape the principal and most current resource for language teaching methodology and practice in the state.

Please share this announcement and encourage your colleagues to apply as well.

Recruitment for the World Languages (WL) Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (CFCC)

The WL CFCC will play a significant role in the revision of the WL Framework which will be developed to incorporate and support the 2019 World Languages Standards for Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve.

Credentialed teachers; school, district, and county administrators; college and university personnel representing academic departments and schools of education; and representatives of citizen groups or educational organizations are encouraged to apply. The submission period for the online application is August 1–October 15, 2018.

All WL CFCC meetings will be held at the California Department of Education on the following dates:

• February 7–8, 2019
• March 7–8, 2019
• April 11–12, 2019
• May 30–31, 2019
• June 27–28, 2019
• August 1–2, 2019

2020 World Languages Framework CFCC Application
There is still time to submit your Application to Serve on the Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee.

Please access the World Languages Framework web page for more information.

submitted by:

Susie Marks Watt
World Language Consultant
Professional Learning Innovations Office
Educator Excellence And Equity Division
Teaching and Learning Support Branch
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4309
Sacramento, CA 95814

Telephone: 916-323-5252
Email: swatt@cde.ca.gov

Reminders from the California Department of Education:

Global Education and Empathy: Contributing to a Kinder World

Do you teach 7 to 11 year olds? The KIND Foundation is funding Empatico, a multi-year $20 million initiative to connect students around the globe. It’s a free online learning tool that builds broader world views through meaningful interactions with peers. Empatico’s mission is to make it possible for children worldwide to connect and share, and by giving them this opportunity to meaningfully interact with one another, to create a lifetime of positive change.

Leading technologists, passionate teachers and global education experts have collaborated to develop the beta version of Empatico, which is now available. Teachers are invited to test the tool, share feedback, and help optimize Empatico for their classroom needs.

Teacher Recruitment: ‘Make the Switch’ Campaign

To put a spotlight on mid-career professionals who have become teachers, the CDE is planning the launch of a publicity campaign called “Make the Switch: Become a Teacher,” which features video profiles of individuals who have made the switch, as well as resources letting people know how to become a teacher. If someone you know has switched careers to become a teacher, please be aware that nominations are currently being sought for the video campaign. You can read more about this campaign on the Superintendent’s Initiatives Web page.

Perhaps you know someone you think would be a good candidate to become a teacher, either a mid-career professional, military veteran, or a young person. Please let them know how they can make the switch by directing them to resources at the CDE or other Web sites including the Teach California Web site and the California Center on Teaching Careers.