• Professional Development Opportunities

    The Bilingual/ESL/Title III Program operates as an integrated program in the Division of Instructional, School Improvement & College Readiness Support under the Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, and offers a variety of services and support for schools. We provide schools served by the Region One ESC with ongoing technical assistance and a variety of types of professional development on topics that support state and federal compliance, program design, implementation, monitoring support. We work to expand the capacity of your schools to increase the achievement of your Emergent Bilingual students. Professional development opportunities include face to face, online, and job-embedded instructional coaching. We can also establish trained coaches in schools, plus we can customize training to meet your schools' needs.

    Educators, school leaders, parents, and support staff all benefit from professional development that aligns with your schools' continuous improvement efforts. Being of exceptional service to your schools is important to us! The list of titles and descriptions below are just some of the many professional development opportunities that we provide for schools. 
     
    Feel free to contact our office at (956) 984-6238 for additional information or to discuss your schools' professional development needs.  

     
    EB Leadership Academy
    Instructional leaders must develop a deep understanding of EB issues in order to ensure the academic, linguistic and affective success of this growing population. The EB Leadership Academy is designed as a transformational series of activities and experiences to empower district and campus leaders in closing achievement and equity gaps. During this 6-day academy, leaders will explore and analyze a variety of topics, including: second language acquisition; the TELPAS-ELPS Connection; Assessment decision-making and its impact on instruction; EB data analysis, state/federal accountability; sheltered instruction; EB GT and EB with Special Needs; among others.  
     
    EB Instructional Academy
    In this 3-Day Academy, teachers will participate in engaging activities to better understand the following concepts: Second Language Acquisition Theory and Practice; LPAC responsibilities for the classroom teacher; using TELPAS to drive instruction; ELPS Language Development tools; making content comprehensible through Sheltered Instruction.
     
     
    TELPAS Academy: Accelerating EB Progress through Cognitive and Linguistic Scaffolding Strategies
    During this 4-day academy, teachers of Emergent Bilingual students will engage in dynamic, hands-on, professional learning experiences to enhance their understanding of the TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors and how to implement technology tools and innovative practices in their classrooms to increase academic language proficiency through conceptual thinking. 
     
    TELPAS At-a-Glance
    Participants will engage in dynamic, hands-on, professional learning experiences to enhance their understanding of the TELPAS Proficiency Level Descriptors and how to implement tools and innovative practices in their classrooms to increase academic language proficiency through conceptual thinking in specific domains.
     
     
    Reset, Rethink, Redesign 3-Day Institute: Accelerating Learning through Content-Based Literacy for ALL 
    During this 3-day Institute, participants will learn how to enhance literacy practices across content areas, with a focus on culturally responsive pedagogical practices, to make content and language comprehensible for academic language learners.  
     
     
    Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP)
    In this 2-day session, teachers and administrators will learn about the 8 components and 30 features of the SIOP Model: Lesson Preparation, Building Background, Comprehensible Input, Strategies, Interaction, Practice and Application, Lesson Delivery, and Assessment. All participants must have the book "Making Content Comprehensible" to attend this session.
     
    Sheltered Instruction Strategies
    This session will address the characteristics of sheltered instruction, research in second-language acquisition, needs of Emergent Bilingual students, and instructional strategies to deliver comprehensible instruction, including content and language objectives, randomization techniques, total response signals, vocabulary development, structured reading and writing techniques, and structured conversations, among others.
     
     
    Enseñando la Lectura (PK-1)
    Half of the PK-1 EB population in Region One speaks Spanish as a native language. Research strongly supports the development of native language as the biggest predictor of future second language acquisition success. This session provides participants with a plethora of activities that support early literacy development in Spanish. It also addresses the essential components of early Spanish reading instruction and includes activities to address transferable skills for English language development. NOTE: Session will be delivered in Spanish.
     
    La lectura en español (2-5)
    Research strongly supports the development of native language as the biggest predictor of future second language acquisition success. This session provides participants with a plethora of activities that support early literacy development in Spanish in the upper elementary grades. NOTE: Session will be delivered in Spanish.
     
    Gramática básica y ortografía
    This session will provide an overview of the basic Spanish grammar and spelling elements to support instruction. It will be based on the SLAR student expectations for 1st-5th grade. Session will be delivered in Spanish.

     
    Thinking Maps: A Language for Learning Training
    Thinking Maps are consistent visual patterns linked directly to eight specific thought processes. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of how visualizing their thinking will create concrete images of abstract thoughts; thus, when utilized in the classroom will help students reach higher levels of critical and creative thinking. Each participants must have a Thinking Maps: Language for Learning binder to participate in this session.

    Meeting the Needs of Emergent Bilingual Students with Special Needs

    Participants will analyze the second language acquisition process and the benefits of an enrichment dual language program model for Emergent Bilingual students, including students with special needs. They will also explore the 13 disability categories under IDEA and what role the first and second language play in the students' affective, cognitive, and linguistic development.

    Making Content and Language Accessible for Emergent Bilingual Students with Special Needs

    During this 6-hr session, participants will explore ways in which they can make language and content accessible to their emergent bilingual students with special needs through the implementation of the Universal Design for Learning framework and readily accessible technology tools that can be used for instruction to mimic assessment accommodations. 

     
    ESL TExES (154) Preparation Session
    This training focuses on the TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) exam. The session is designed to provide the participants with an overview of the test, including the targeted domains and competencies, the test format, and sample questions.
     
    Bilingual TExES (164) Preparation Session
    This training focuses on the TExES Bilingual (164) exam. The session is designed to provide the participants with an overview of the test, including the targeted domains and competencies, the test format, and sample questions. 
     
    BTLPT (190) Preparation Session
    This informative session will provide an overview on the TExES BTLPT Session (190) framework for those interested in taking and passing the BTLPT Exam. Participants will be able to gain valuable knowledge aligned to the TExES domains, competencies, standards, and test format.
     
     
    Empowering Parents and Families of EB: Capacitando a padres y familias de estudiantes bilingües 
    This session will be conducted in Spanish for the parents and families of  EB to become informed about the characteristics of Emergent Bilingual students, including how schools identify and provide program services. Parents will learn strategies that they may use to support their son or daughter to do well in school.
     
     
     
    LPAC Beginning of the Year Training of Trainers
    This training focuses on the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee requirements, required composition of the LPAC, and specifically, the beginning of year procedures and documentation requirements for the identification and placement of EBs. 
     
    LPAC Middle of the Year Training of Trainers
    Assessment decisions have a direct impact on school and district accountability. LPAC members will be trained in how to make the most appropriate assessment decision for each English Language Learner, including the language and version of the test, as well as any necessary and allowable linguistic accommodation.
     
    LPAC End of Year Training of Trainers
    In order to comply with Chapter 89, subchapter BB of the Commissioner’s Rules, districts must ensure end of the year LPAC procedures are in place. In this session, participants will learn proper end of the year procedures, including annual exit review, reclassification of students, progress monitoring, and parent notification.
     
     
    Bilingual/ESL/Title III, Part A Program Director Meetings
     
    We provide each district's bilingual/ESL/Title III Program Directors with support during scheduled meetings throughout the academic year. Your district participation is important to keep abreast of timely and relevant state and federal updates and program information that we relay to districts from the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, cross-departmental collaborative support and networking opportunities are built into the schedule to further expand the capacity of leadership across our region. Meetings are held on a monthly basis and are hosted by different school districts and also shared through Zoom.
     
     
    *All sessions are customizable and can be offered at the district or campus level upon request.
     
    For more information, contact our Bilingual/ESL/Title III, Part A Program at  (956) 984-6238 

     
Last Modified on June 16, 2023