February 2018

The month of February has been memorable.

To summarize:

It began with the Super Bowl where the Philadelphia Eagles prevailed over the New England Patriots.

Then it was followed by Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday thus marking the beginning of Lent.

Afterwards Presidents Day and the start of the celebration of the Lunar New Year, the year of the Dog.

And it concluded with us taking part in the CA EL Roadmap Review Committee as the California capital of Sacramento was blanketed by a late winter storm of cold air and rain, hail, and snow.

But all this was in the midst of a tragedy in a school in Florida that ended the lives of students and educators.

This month of February has reminded us just how precious every day of life is, and how it is precious that we continue to give our lives to education, as learners, as students, as parents, as teachers, as administrators, as advocates and stakeholders in education, and the importance that we all have in an interconnected information net where we must identify weaknesses and make prompt and efficient repairs, or face a continuing damage that deteriorates and vanishes into air over time.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

California English Learner Roadmap

In 2018 California begins implementation of the California English Learner Roadmap Policy.

This policy was approved by the State Board of Education on July 12, 2017 and it comes following the passage of Proposition 58 (English Proficiency.  Multilingual Education.  Initiative Status) in November 2016.

It is the first change in policy language regarding English Learner education in nearly 20 years (Last changes were under Proposition 227, passed in 1998).

The English Learner Roadmap Vision states that:

"English Learners Fully and Meaningfully Access and Participate in a 21st Century Education from Early Childhood Through Grade Twelve That Results in Their Attaining high Levels of English Proficiency, Mastery of Grade Level Standards, and Opportunities to Develop Proficiency in Multiple Languages."

and is supported by four Principles that provide it's foundation:

Principle #1:

Assets - Oriented and Needs - Responsive Schools.

Principle #2:

Intellectual Quality of Instruction and Meaningful Access.

Principle #3:

System Conditions That Support Effectiveness.

Principle #4:

Alignment and Articulation Within and Across Systems.

MRCR Education had the pleasure to send a representative to the California Department of Education Public Meeting held in Sacramento on September 2017 titled "The California English Learner Roadmap: Strengthening Comprehensive Educational Policies, Program, and Practices for English Learners" where experts and stakeholders reviewed the new policy, engaged with participants, and provided a preview of the draft guidance document.

At this meeting MRCR Education made a commitment to assist the California Department of Education with the implementation of the EL Roadmap through one of three presentations available to schools, districts, LEA's, and County Offices of Education.  For more information email us at mrcreducation@gmail.com Subject Header "California EL Roadmap Presentation".  MRCR Education is also sharing the following guide to help you get started with understanding this new policy.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.