English Learners and Effective Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) Strategies

Learn to distinguish between typical second language development and the needs of students who may demonstrate academic difficulties or possible disabilities and develop a proactive plan for effective classroom interventions to promote student success.                 

The Multi-tiered System of Support (MTSS) process is designed to assist in the identification of all students who are in need of additional support in the classroom, school environment and in online instruction. These students may include those who are working to acquire English as a second language, students who face academic difficulties due to factors such as low socio-economic status (SES), poor quality instruction, or other intervening factors; those students who may have an undiagnosed learning issues, or those who may need help due to interrupted or limited schooling.

Successful implementation of the MTSS [also referred to as Response to Intervention (RTI)] process is key to ensuring that English learners receive appropriate intervention to maximize their academic achievement and language acquisition and are not disproportionately identified for special education services.

This workshop will focus on the MTSS process as it relates to the growing number of students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds as they work to acquire a new language and succeed in the classroom.

During this two and a half day informative workshop, participants will examine the steps of the MTSS/RTI process; differentiate among the characteristics of second language acquisition, learning difficulties, cultural differences and influences and issues for students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE); and identify the process for the development of an MTSS/RTI plan that will promote students’ academic as well as linguistic success. Participants will also review instructional practices that support teachers’ implementation of MTSS/RTI plans in the classroom; discuss with colleagues and team members the processes for monitoring and documenting student progress; identify curriculum development and instructional practices to support classroom/content areas teachers with Tier 1, 2, and 3 students; and, explore issues that challenge the practice of correctly identifying and assessing English learners with possible learning disabilities.

Participants will review case studies and consider possible areas for observation, data collection, assessment, interventions, and key points of discussion for school/district faculty, staff, related service providers, and administrators in regards to academic achievement and second language acquisition. As a blend of synchronous and asynchronous online content, this workshop will include a variety of activities, such as jigsaw/partner readings, small group tasks, analysis of instructional strategies that support Tiers 1, 2, and 3 interventions, and the development of instructional goals and implementation plans.

This interactive institute is designed for K-12 general education/content area teachers, English as a Second Language educators, Title I teachers, ELL coordinators, administrators, and school personnel/related service providers and interventionists who are either members of MTSS/RTI teams, or who support the MTSS/RTI process in their schools. Special education teachers, coaches, and district personnel who are active in their schools’ MTSS/RTI planning and implementation are encouraged to attend as turnkey support. MTSS/RTI team members are encouraged to attend together to allow for a collaborative approach in developing effective English learner implementation plans for their schools or districts.

Questions? Email CAL with any questions you may have about our offerings.

Agenda

Topics include:

• Review of the RTI/MTSS History, Processes, and Continuum of Services
• Issues in the misidentification of special needs among English learners
• English learner’s second language acquisition characteristics, content learning, and cultural perspectives
• Identification, data collection, and goal development for both content and language learning
• Tiers I, 2, and 3 instructional practices for second language learners, intervention, documentation, planning, monitoring, and decision-making and support
• Working with all stakeholders (i.e. parents, translators/ interpreters, guidance counselors, psychologists, special educators, related service providers, instructional leaders/coaches, content teachers, and students).
• Next Steps: Tier 2 and Tier 3, Structured Interventions and Special Education Evaluation and support

Schedule

Self-Paced Content

Between December 2nd and December 16th, participants will be expected to complete three hours of self-paced content to apply learning from the synchronous sessions.

• December 2, 2021, 9:30am-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm EST
• December 9, 2021, 9:30am-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm EST
• December 16, 2021, 9:30am-12:30pm and 2-3:30pm EST

Cost

• Early bird registration by November 4, 2021: $785/person.
• After November 4, 2021: $955/person.
• Send 2 people or more and pay $785 each.
• Cost includes all training materials provided electronically.

Venue

This Institute will be held online through a combination of interactive online mini-workshops and through self-paced assignments to be completed in CAL’s online learning platform.

Certificate of Completion

Participants will receive a CAL Certificate of Completion for 15 hours which may be used for continuing education credit