English Language Learners

ELL Curriculum Development Trainings Update

As previously announced in WIDA ELD Standards Update memo from Associate Commissioner Jonathan Landman, ESE will be sponsoring 3-day long ELL Curriculum Development trainings this spring. Please find additional information about these trainings, including registration information, below.

Training content and objectives

The purpose of these trainings is to further develop participants' understanding of the WIDA English Language Development standards framework and how to integrate the WIDA standards into district curricula. The ELL Curriculum Development Trainings will focus on the following essential questions:

1. How can educators use the WIDA ELD standards to create content area and ESL lesson plans and units of instruction that promote ELLs academic achievement and language development?
2. What are potential ways to integrate the WIDA ELD standards into content area instruction?
3. What should district curriculum leaders keep in mind when designing a plan for integrating WIDA ELD standards and 2011 Frameworks into content area and ESL curricula for ELLs?

Who should attend these trainings?

• These 3-day ELL Curriculum Development trainings are meant as a follow up to the Basic WIDA Training of Trainers (3-day trainings) or Basic WIDA Overviews (2-day and 1-day trainings) previously offered. Participants attending the ELL Curriculum Development trainings should have foundational knowledge of the basic components of the WIDA ELD standards framework.
• To maximize training outcomes, ESE recommends that districts send district pairs of curriculum leaders (English Language Learner Program Coordinator/Supervisor, a district content area Curriculum Supervisor) or equivalent district staff who regularly coordinate district curriculum development and/or professional development opportunities. Integrating the WIDA ELD standards into district curricula is a serious undertaking that will require collaboration and strategic planning in order to train educators and ensure content area and ESL curricula reflect the new standards. Therefore, it is important for district leaders to develop an understanding of the standards and instructional implications.

Registration

There are several regional trainings available. The registration links for most of these regional trainings are now available at http://www.doe.mass.edu/ell/wida.html. If you have additional questions and concerns related to these trainings, please email WIDA@doe.mass.edu.