The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE), Special Education Unit, in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education, Program for Language Minority Students, Southeast Regional Resource Center (SERRC) and the English Language Learners (ELL) Task Force, has developed the “Arkansas State Guidelines on Non-Discriminatory Assessment and Addressing Educational Needs of English Language Learners with Disabilities.” These state guidelines have been attached for your review.
Due to the increased number of students in Arkansas whose primary language spoken in the home is not English, a need exists for the development of state guidelines on appropriate identification of and educational intervention for ELL students with disabilites. The purpose of these state guidelines is to set forth the best practices in the identification/assessment, currriculum, and teaching methodology to address the educational needs of ELL students with disabilities in Arkansas public schools.
The ADE is providing training on the guidelines, as outlined in this memorandum. This training will allow for each education service cooperative and the Central Arkansas tri-district consortium to send two teams to participate in the “trainer of trainers” session. Each team will be responsible for providing training to school districts/personnel in the respective educational service cooperative region. Specific information on the make-up of the teams is included on the enclosed registration form.
The training on the guidelines will be divided into two different training sessions. The first training session will focus on assessment of ELL students. This two-day training will be held on August 6 and 7, 2003 at the Wyndam Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock. The presenter is Dr. Eric Lopez of New Mexico State University. He will discuss the issue of acculturation, the evaluation process, use of translators, choice of assessment techniques, and parental involvement.
The second training session will focus on language considerations and linking language as well as learning goals to standards. This one day training will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2003 at the Wyndam Riverfront Hotel, North Little Rock. The presenter is Dr. Jozi DeLeon of New Mexico State University.
Refer questions or requests for additional assistance to Cassandra D. Green at 501-682-4222 or cgreen@arkedu.k12.ar.us. Return the registration forms by Friday, July 25, 2003. The teams will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The enclosed registration form should be submitted to:
Cassandra D. Green
Arkansas Department of Education, Special Education
1401 West Capitol, Suite 450
Little Rock, AR 72201
Fax 501-682-4248