District/School Administration Administration
The Board of Education Advisory Councils

English Language Learners/Bilingual Education Advisory Council

The English Language Learners/Bilingual Education Advisory Council’s role is to advise the Board of Education and the Commissioner on matters pertaining to the education of limited English proficient students in Massachusetts’ public schools. Specifically, the Council will: assess statewide trends and needs; seek public and professional input; analyze information regarding education of English Language Learners; advise and make recommendations regarding legislation, regulations, and program guidelines; and provide other programmatic recommendations as it deems necessary to fulfill the goals established by the Board of Education.

The Council is engaged in the following activities:

• Advising the Commissioner and the Board of Education on qualifications for teachers in Sheltered English immersion classrooms and the development of appropriate endorsement(s) and/or licensure.
• Discussing data on the performance of English language learners and clarification of other testing issues including the review of the annual measurable achievement objectives.
• Advising the Commissioner and the Board of Education on issues concerning the development of English proficiency and academic achievement of limited English proficient students.

Meeting Schedule for the 2007-2008 School Year:

All meetings will take place at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, 350 Main Street in Malden, MA

Council Members:

Mr. Gary Abdullah, Swampscott Public Schools
Mr. Paul Abraham, Simmons College
Ms. Margaret Adams, Malden Public Schools
Ms. Colleen Billings, Salem Public Schools
Ms. Danielle Carrigo, Worcester Public Schools
Ms. Suzanne Coffin, Haverhill Public Schools'
Ms. Michaela Colombo, UMASS Lowell
Ms. Julie Coppola, Boston University
Ms. Victoria Ekk, North Attleboro Public Schools
Ms. Jan Lopez Fellows, Peabody Public Schools
Ms. Kathy Frye, Boston Public Schools
Ms. Mary-Grace Fusco, Chelsea Public Schools
Mr. Thomas King, Boston Public Schools
Ms. Karen Luttenberger, Berkshire Hills Regional Schools
Mr. Sergio Paez, Leominster Public Schools
Ms. Kasha Przbylska, student
Ms. Susan Schwartz, Methuen Public Schools
Ms. Maria de Lourdes Serpa, Lesley University

Contact:

Amanda Lebleu
Education Specialist
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Language Acquisition and Academic Achievement
350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148
Phone: 781-338-3580
Fax: 781-338-3318
E-Mail: adonahue@doe.mass.edu