TESOL Advocacy & Policy SummitSummer 2015 Washington D.C.
Sam DiVitaPamela Mercier
Summit Purposes●Learn about TESOL federal issues
●Learn about advocacy●Advocate for our students with
federal legislators●Network with members of TESOL
DAY 1: BriefingsKeynote Speaker
Dr. Libia Gil, Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director, Office of English Language Acquisition
What we learned...
●need data on SLIFE
●new Tool Kit for EL teachers
●focus on assets not deficits of ELs
Other SessionsAFTNEAUS Dept. of Ed- Office for Civil Rights- Dept. of Justice
Update on Student Visa Policy & SEVP
The Reauthorization of ESEA
Where are we at?
Both the House and Senate bills are awaiting further action.
Lots of Networking with other TESOL members
Advocating for ELs
Dr. Diane Staeher-FennerAdvocating for English Learners:
A Guide for Educators
Day 2: Meetings with Legislators
Our Visits with Legislative Assistants
TESOL and MinneTESOL
LEAPS Act, 2014
Our Specific Legislative Requests
● Identify SLIFE in federal law● Increase funding for adult ed● Improve postsecondary options for SLIFE
How Did Legislators Respond?● Understood need for
differentiating ELs and their needs
● Requested specific amendment language
● Willingness to support grant applications
● Continued communication
What to Do Next? Get federal and state legislators to act
● Decide what legislation you want● Contact your legislators
MinneTESOL: Advocacy Committee
Other groups● Follow up
Why contact legislators?Legislators represent our students and families
- but our students often cannot advocate for
themselves; they may be invisible to legislators
What Are We Doing Next?●Ask to meet: Klobuchar, Franken, McCollum in Minnesota
●Invite legislators to next year’s MELEd & to our school to meet students
●Ask to meet with local legislators
What Else?Consult with Various Organizations
Parent organizations Karen Organization of Minnesota
Somali organizations and find out if can we assist them to advocate?
How to Apply for the 2016 Summit●Look for MinneTESOL email in December
●Check the MinneTESOL Facebook page and Webpage for application
●Summit attendees announced early 2016
Washington is a great place to visit...
Sam DiVita, ELL, Leap High School, Saint Paul Public Schools, [email protected] Mercier, ELL, Washington Technology, Saint Paul Public Schools, [email protected] How to Apply for the 2016 SummitLook for a MinneTESOL email in DecemberCheck MinneTESOL Facebook page and WebsiteAn application will be available MinneTESOL Advocacy CommitteeMinneTESOL.org/Advocacy Leah Soderlund, Co-Chair John Segota: Associate Executive Director for Public Policy and Professional Relations: [email protected] Congressional Emails: klobuchar.senate.gov, franken.senate.gov, mccollum.house.gov Diane Staeher-Fenner: Advocating for English Learners TESOL Advocacy & Policy Summit MELEd Presentation:https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1wB3e7FXriGRHsn35mGhVyI-by8ImIiqBXgepdariIXQ/edit?usp=sharing