Advocacy Update

Join the Advocacy E-List: At the MATSOL Community Page, go to the "My Features" tab and click on "E-lists." (Login required).

Sign up here to attend a Board of Education meeting.
There are several issues under consideration by the Board of Education this year that will affect ELL education.  Sign up to attend a Board meeting and give public testimony about our concerns for ELLs. With your help, we can show our "power in numbers" and keep ELL needs at the top of the policy agenda.

Governor Patrick Announces New Strategies to Close the Achievement Gap
Nov 9, 2011: In his speech, the Governor proposed the establishment of "Summer English Learning Camps specifically designed to give English Language Learners more time, in an active, engaged 'camp' atmosphere, to become fluent in English." 

Governor's Speech

NCLB Waiver
Nov 14, 2011: The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education submitted a waiver request to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) seeking flexibility from certain provisions of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). The application process required input from stakeholders, and MATSOL submitted recommendations. 

MATSOL's letter to the Commissioner of Education

Press release from the DESE

Bill H.1065/S.197
MATSOL is working in coalition with other advocacy groups to support Bill H.1065/S.197, An Act Relative to Enhancing English Opportunities for All Students in the Commonwealth. This bill will allow schools greater flexibility in choosing programs to educate ELLs and provide accountability measures to ensure that educational goals are being met.  It also provides structures to ensure parental involvement. Contact the Joint Committee on Education and your state legislator to voice your support.  

Fact Sheet on H.1065/S.197

Find out how to support this bill

Department of Justice Investigation
Sep 27, 2011: The U.S. Department of Justice found shortcomings in the Massachusetts ELL program, and specifically in the preparation of teachers who teach academic content to ELLs in SEI programs. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to approve a timeline for Commissioner Chester to review the needs and options and then present to the Board proposed regulations by February 2012. It is critical that MATSOL membership utilize their expertise to advise the Commissioner and to inform their state legislators.

Department of Justice Letter