New Hampshire

- April 2012 –
Submitted by Kern Goyette and Debra St. Lawrence

Karen Goyette writes: The Hudson School District has been participating in an extensive WIDA research project which looks at the ways in which content-area teachers use WIDA resources to meet the needs of their English Language Learners. The project WIDA is conducting is intended to inform future resources that WIDA makes available to educators across the consortium as well as professional development WIDA designs.

Janine Anctil writes: News/updates from SAU #39: Mont Vernon, Amherst and Souhegan, NH school districts. This year we are in the final stages of creating an up-to-date local ESOL Compliance Manual.The manual outlines our ESOL program and policies and how we meet new legal compliance obligations.We are in communication with NHDOE during the final revision process.In addition to the legal compliance portion of the manual, we arecompilinga section of resources for ESOL teachers that will be accessible by our district ESOL teachers, in order to create more consistency and efficiency between our schools. One aspect of our compliance obligations that has been implemented this year is professional development for all staff.I presented a brief overview of our ESOL program and policies, highlighted unique needs and considerations for ELs, and suggested techniques for teachers to help support ELs in the mainstream classroom.It was received well by staff and administrators. I will also be implementing a more comprehensive program evaluation component of our ESOL program this year.It includes a yearly report of data on our EL students to identify strengths and weaknesses of our program, as well as an action plan for improvement as necessary. We also have been making an effort to create more multicultural awareness in our schools, which ties into the anti-bullying programs as well.I have been putting up multicultural/multilingual displays at all school levels to raise awareness of other cultures, languages and countries. That’s what is happening in SAU #39.Lots of exciting things!

In general: A committee has been formed to start the process of updating and revising the Competencies required for ESOL Teacher Certification. It is likely that the work will be finished by June 2012 and the new standards are projected to go into effect by December 2012. NHTI is continuing to strengthen their Teacher Conversion Program by adding an ESOL compliment to the program. Initial feedback from participants in the program has been very positive.

Upper Valley TESOL Network: The Upper Valley TESOL Network meets the first Wednesday of every month at about 3:00 at Seminary Hill School at 20 Seminary Hill in West Lebanon, NH. Meetings are held in the white annex in front of the school. Take the long ramp across from the front door of the school. Contact: Charlotte Johnson at Charlotte.Johnson@valley.net.

South Central Network: The 2011-2012 South Central ESOL network meetings will be held Manchester Community College, room 103. The address is 1066 Front Street, Manchester. Directions to Manchester Community College. Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month during the school year from 4:00pm-5:45pm. Attendees receive 2.0 hours of professional development per meeting from the NH Department of Education for attendance and participation. Here are the specific dates for the remainder of the 2011-12 year. April 10, 2012 May 8, 2012 June 12, 2012

North Country Network: The North Country Network meetings will be the first Monday of the month at 3:30 at the MET Coffehouse. Contact: Karen Gibson at ESL@sau9.org if you are interested in these meetings.

 2010 and 2011 state reports for New Hampshire are archived!