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, samdivita1@comcast.netPamela Mercier, ELL, Washington Technology, Saint Paul Public Schools, inkdav@gmail.com 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: jsegota@tesol.org 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