just the facts - The Massachusetts Teachers Association

j ust the facts
M TA G O V E R N M E N T R E L A T I O N S
H498/S262 – AN ACT FOR LANGUAGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR KIDS
LEAD SPONSORS Sal DiDomenico (D-Everett) and Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez (D-Jamaica Plain)
CO-SPONSORS
REPRESENTATIVES
James Arciero
Ruth Balser
Christine Barber
Jennifer Benson
Michael Brady
Paul Brodeur
Antonio Cabral
Thomas Calter
Linda Campbell
Evandro Carvalho
Claire Cronin
Daniel Cullinane
Marjorie Decker
Marcos Devers
Daniel Donahue
Michelle DuBois
Sean Garballey
Colleen Garry
Carlos Gonzalez
Kenneth Gordon
Jonathan Hecht
Paul Heroux
Mary Keefe
Kay Khan
Peter Kocot
Robert Koczera
John Mahoney
Joseph McGonagle
James Miceli
Frank Moran
James O’Day
Thomas Petrolati
Denise Provost
Angelo Puppolo
David Rogers
Daniel Ryan
Tom Sannicandro
Frank Smizik
Thomas Stanley
Benjamin Swan
Timothy Toomey
Jose Tosado
John Velis
Chris Walsh
SENATORS
Sonia Chang Diaz
Kenneth Donnelly
James Eldridge
Linda Dorcena Forry
Robert Hedlund
Patricia Jehlen
Barbara L’Italien
Eric Lesser
Jason Lewis
Thomas McGee
Marc Pacheco
James Welch
PURPOSE OF THIS BILL
As a national and global leader, Massachusetts recognizes, values, and invests in programs that help students acquire 21st
century skills. Today, those skills must include multilingualism, both through English language acquisition and dual language
learning.
Bilingualism, biliteracy, and multicultural understanding are skills essential to improving career and college readiness, and
enhancing social and economic growth within a global economy.
However, the current “one-size-fits-all” model for English language learners continues to disadvantage students, who
increasingly come from diverse linguistic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds; the existing laws and practices are failing
many Massachusetts students, while constraining teachers.
This bill will ensure that all children in Massachusetts public schools are provided with the highest quality education through
access to innovative, research-based language education instructional programs that provide effective academic English
language and/or dual language proficiency and high academic achievement.
WHAT THIS BILL DOES
■■ Updates the law to encompass the latest in academic research and best practices in public schools serving English language
learners.
■■ Allows all districts to choose high quality, alternate Language Acquisition Programs based on the needs of students, in
addition to Sheltered English Immersion.
■■ Encourages parent involvement in selecting, advocating for and participating in English learner programs.
■■ Recognizes the value of bilingualism and biliteracy skills by establishing a state Seal of Biliteracy, which districts can award to
high school graduates who demonstrate proficiency in two or more languages
continued ➤
Kate Donaghey, Lobbyist | Catherine Fichtner, Lobbyist | Julie Johnson, Lobbyist | Sean King, Lobbyist
617.878.8119
j ust the facts
These updates require no major changes to existing programs or initiatives such as RETELL, currently underway by the
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). In addition, this revised language reduces the administrative burden
on districts who seek to expand their language acquisition program offerings.
Specifically, this bill makes the following changes to current law, MGL C. 71:
Allows districts to choose from a variety of ELL programs and requires monitoring and support:
■■ Updates definitions to include inclusive terms such as Language Acquisition Program, English Learners, two-way immersion
and English as a Second Language (ESL).
■■ Removes language that signals to districts that Language Acquisition Programs are limited to Sheltered English Immersion.
■■ Removes language that restricts access to Sheltered English Immersion programs to only one school year.
■■ Directs districts to monitor students who have exited language acquisition programs and make support available as
necessary.
Encourages parental involvement:
■■ Updates language on parental choice and parental involvement in selecting, advocating and participating in English learner
programs. Parents have the right to select or reject a program based on the educational needs of their child. Parents may
advocate as a group for a district to adopt a specific language acquisition program (including dual-language programs).
Establishes parent advisory councils for all districts with language acquisition programs.
■■ Removes the restrictive and burdensome language requiring districts and parents to document a waiver process for placing
students in a variety of language acquisition programs.
Removes liability for teachers and districts, recognizes experienced educators in dual-language programs and requires qualified
administrator for Language Acquisition Programs:
■■ Removes language that exposes educators and districts to personal liability for enforcement of this statute.
■■ Directs DESE to establish an educator endorsement for teachers in dual-language programs and establishes an administrator
pathway for directors of Language Acquisition Programs.
■■ Directs districts to appoint a designated administrator for Language Acquisition Programs.
Kate Donaghey, Lobbyist | Catherine Fichtner, Lobbyist | Julie Johnson, Lobbyist | Sean King, Lobbyist
617.878.8119