1) Sign in

2) Approval of Agenda

Agenda was approved, with addition of:

- between 3 and 4: Appointment of Committee Chair, time-keeper, note-taker.

- 6.D. CFT Convention Workshop

- 6.E. Progressive Tax.

3)       A. Introductions.

Committee members introduced themselves.

B. Background and review of work from the last two year cycle

The ELL committee was formed two years ago. In its first two-year cycle, the ELL committee focused on reframing the conversation around ELLs, from a deficiency model to an additive model. We've also developed partnerships with organizations that share the same goals that we have. AB 815 (Seal of Biliteracy), currently on Governor Brown's desk, started as a resolution from the ELL committee, which was submitted to the CFT Convention. As a result of this resolution, the CFT and Californians Together sponsored this legislation. The Seal of Biliteracy will be beneficial not only to ELLs, but also for English-speaking students who become literate in another language—the idea is to send the message that bilingualism and biliteracy are valued in California, and benefit all students, both academically and as they move into the workforce.

C. Appointment of ELL Committee Chair, and note-taker and time-keeper for this meeting. Leah and Rachel were nominated as co-chairs of the ELL Committee. Moved/seconded /approved unanimously. Nancy will be time-keeper and Monica will be note-taker for this meeting.

4) Approval of Minutes (May 2011)

Table.

5) Old Business

A. FAQ sheet

- A while ago, the ELL committee thought it would be a good idea to develop a FAQ sheet. However, this has not happened yet. Discussion ensued regarding whether the committee should to continue to pursue this, or drop the idea.

- Lucia volunteered to look into research regarding best practices for ELL in K-12. Kris volunteered to compile similar information about Community Colleges. Leah will approach someone from Adult Education Committee to get this type of information.

B. Mission Statement

Motion: to create a Mission Statement for the ELL Committee. Seconded. Approved.

6)      A. Goal setting for new 2-year cycle

i) The ELL committee will develop a FAQ sheet and a mission statement:

ii) Items to include in a mission statement: who we are, who do we represent, who is our student population, what do we do.

iii) Working on legislation and policy that supports research-based best practices for ELLs:

Support educators and students who are in districts where there are no biliteracy programs—what kind of services and programs are there for their benefit, what else could be implemented in those districts.

An example of legislation and policy that supports research-based best practices for ELLs is AB 409.

B. Discussion of the recommendations of the Student Success Task Force (created by SB 1143) on CC ESL programs

Kris distributed package with some of the recommendations of the Student Success Task Force.

Kris is asking for help: please attend upcoming meetings where these recommendations will be presented and discussed:

- Oct 7. LA Chamber of Commerce. There will be a Town Hall meeting.

- Nov 4-5. San Diego. Academic Senate State Plenary.

- What's next?

- Kris to draft a letter to be sent out to CCs to alert them of these recommendations and of the meeting where they're going to be discussed.

- Consider drafting a resolution for the CFT Convention

C. Budget discussion

ELL committee budget was reduced from $3000 to $2000.

D. CFT Convention Workshop

Leah proposes bringing Janet Jones to conduct a workshop on Abriendo Caminos.

E. Progressive Tax

7)       A. Conference Report Back:

i) CABE

ii) Lucia briefly reported on her attendance to CABE conference (cut short due to appendicitis).

iii) Californians Together

iv) Planning to develop Q&A regarding waivers that parents must sign in order to enroll their children in immersion programs.

v) iii) AFT ELL Conference

Rachel reported on the module she attended, which included the following topics: federal regulations, professional development, etc.

B. Legislative Update

Dolores Sanchez, CFT lobbyist, reported on recent legislative progress. She thanked ELL committee members for their continued involvement in legislative matters. She noted that our collaboration with Californians Together has been very productive.

AB 815: There are a number of bills that are on the Governor's desk. Among them is, AB 815, which went through the legislative process this year. This bill has had broad support, not just from the education community, but also from the business community. However, we have encountered some road-blocks in our efforts to get the Governor to sign this:

- funding: found unused funding from the Golden State Seal. The remaining cost is only $40000.

- Some would prefer to implement the Seal of Biliteracy at the Superintendent of Schools level. The problems with this are 1. that the Superintendent of School cannot tap into funding that has been identified, and 2. that it would be up to each Superintendent to implement this, so we may need to defend the Seal with every new Superintendent.

Everyone's asked to urge the Governor's to sign AB 815.

Why do we need this legislation?

- Need for uniform state-wide standards.

- Need for statutory authority.

- Need for statutory provision regarding funding.

- Collaborative effort which has received wide support.

AB 124: Convening a group of experts of EL instruction , curriculum and assessment to assist the Superintendent in updating, revising, and aligning the English language development standards.

AB 130: California Dream Act. Access to scholarships.

AB 753: Originally, there were the following two separate bills:

- AB 754: allow students to not take parts of the CELDT if they had already passed them in earlier grades. ELL committee was opposed to this.

- AB 753: moved CELDT testing time. ELL committee supported this change.

However, these two bills were combined into one (AB 753). The banking of the scores would not go into effect immediately, because federal legislation prevents states from doing this. When the bills were merged, the CFT withdrew its support, so we currently have a "watch" position. We will continue with this position.

AB 409: Assessment of students in dual language immersion: students can be assessed in primary language, at district's cost.