English Language Learner Workshop

Get a team together to learn about distinguishing between disability and language acquisition. Steve will present live from our Pocahontas office. To maximize the reach of this learning and to decrease travel time for participants, we will connect Storm Lake, Spencer & Fort Dodge PLAEA offices virtually. This means that district teams will have the ability to choose the PLAEA location that is most convenient to them.

This workshop offers two and a half days of learning. Participants can register for only Days 1 & 2 OR Days 1, 2 and 3. Day 3 is most beneficial for AEA staff that write educational evaluations. It is suggested that school staff only register for Days 1 & 2 for this reason. Additional information regarding the content of each day as well as registration links can be found below.

WHERE:

Prairie Lakes AEA Offices

Pocahontas (Steve will present live from here)

Fort Dodge (Will be connected virtually)

Spencer (Will be connected virtually)

Storm Lake (Will be connected virtually)

WHEN:

DAY 1: April 26, 2023: 8:30am-3:30pm*

DAY 2: April 27, 2023: 8:30am-3:30pm*

DAY 3: April 28, 2023: 8:30am- 12:00pm

*1 hour will be provided for an on-your-own lunch break.

Note: there are no price breaks for quantity ordered through the author; materials are only available to order through Amazon.

PLAEA Staff- books will be purchased and provided for your use.

District Staff- we are unable to purchase books on your behalf due to Title III funding restrictions.

REQUIRED- Bring these to the workshop:

The ELL Special Education Evaluation Workbook- 1 for each participant is required.

The ELL Critical Data Process- 3rd Edition- 1 for each participant is recommended, though teams can share copies.

OPTIONAL:

Lessons Learned While Evaluating ELL Students for Potential Special Education Qualification- this is helpful for those who complete evaluations.

Steve started his career as a school psychologist in a district with a large ELL population. There he realized how little he had learned about language learners prior to this experience. Over the years, he completed graduate work in ELL studies, eventually creating the ELL Critical Data Process. As of writing this, Steve has trained over 19,000 educators on the process across the country and guests from multiple other countries. Steve is a co-author of six books and is a past president of the Washington State Association of School Psychologists.

Website: https://www.stevegillell.com/

The ELL Critical Data Process & Distinguishing Between Disability & Language Acquisition

The ELL Critical Data Process workshop addresses the belief systems impacting the field of EL education as well as the ELL-specific issues that can arise during qualification for special education. The process brings key staff together to gather the most critical data, follow a structured process, and create a product that helps them to see whether more interventions are needed or if a special education referral is a reasonable option.

Participants in this learning are asked to read Steve's book: The ELL Critical Data Process- 3rd Edition and bring it to the workshop.

Register in the AEA Registration System using the button below. Note the different Sections of the Course that correspond to each location. For additional support with registering in the AEA Registration System, see the helpful resources at the bottom of this smore.

The Evaluation Process for Language Learners with Emphasis on Integrating ELL Critical Data Information

This day is optional, however, in order to engage in this day of learning participants must also attend Days 1 and 2. Day 3 is most beneficial for AEA staff that write educational evaluations. It is suggested that school staff only register for Days 1 & 2 for this reason.

The final day of training provides practical advice on how to help others understand how the decision was made and what evidence was used to decide if language acquisition or language acquisition with a disability is the determinant factor. This training includes information needed to defend the decision within the special education eligibility report.

Register in the AEA Registration System using the button below. Note the different Sections of the Course that correspond to each location. For additional support with registering in the AEA Registration System, see the helpful resources at the bottom of this smore.

Video Tutorial: Registering for a Class

How to Register for a Course or Join a Waitlist

Registration & Access Instructions

Questions? Please contact Haley Offerman (hofferman@plaea.org).