Advocate for Your Students and Your Profession

What are some of the new education initiatives coming out of Washington, DC? What is happening with legislation affecting K–12, adult education, and immigration reform?

To answer these and other questions, TESOL International Association has invited speakers from the U.S. Department of Education, Migrant Legal Action Program, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other experts to present information on education laws, policies, and initiatives affecting English language teaching and learning.

Unless otherwise noted (*), all public policy and advocacy sessions will take place in McCormick Place, Lakeside, E253b.

U.S. Advocacy and Policy

Wednesday, 28 March

9:30 am–10:15 am
Hot Topics and Updates From SEVP
Featuring representatives from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

1:00 pm–1:30 pm
Hot Topics in Enrollment, VISAS, SEVP, and Advocacy for IEPs
Featuring representatives from English USA and the University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP)

2 pm–3:15 pm
U.S. Federal Education and Language Policy Update*
Lakeside, E253c

Thursday, 29 March

9:30 am–10:45 am
Update From the Office of English Language Acquisition*
Lakeside, E253c

9:30 am–10:15 am
Implementing Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education for Adults
Featuring speakers from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education

10:30 am–11:15 am
Update on the Implementation of ESSA
Overview of the federal legislation’s effects on ELs and updates on changes made to the law’s regulations

12:30 pm–4:30 pm
Special Public Policy Session: ELLs, Immigrant Students, and U.S. Law*
Featuring the Migrant Legal Action Program and other invited guests
Lakeside, E253c

Friday, 30 March

10 am–11:15 am
Exploring Pre-K–12 Family and Community Engagement*
Lakeside, E253c

Illinois Advocacy and Policy

Wednesday, 28 March

10:30 am–11:15 am
Overview of Chicago Public Schools Office of Language and Cultural Education
Featuring the chief officer from the Office of Language and Cultural Education at Chicago Public Schools

Thursday, 29 March

11:30 am–12:15 pm
State WIOA Adult ESOL Initiatives and Innovations
Featuring speakers from state adult learning resources center, including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Virginia

1 pm–1:45 pm
Chicago Public Schools: Pathways to Biliteracy
Featuring staff from Chicago Public Schools

2 pm–2:45 pm
Chicago Public Schools Parent Engagement Initiatives
Featuring staff from Chicago Public Schools

U.S. Citizenship and Naturalization

The Office of Citizenship at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is sponsoring a series of special sessions and workshops with information and resources on the naturalization process in the United States.

Wednesday, 28 March

3 pm–3:45 pm
Providing Refugees With the Tools for U.S. Citizenship and Life

4 pm–4:45 pm
Understanding the Naturalization Process for ESL and Citizenship Teachers

Thursday, 29 March

3 pm–3:45 pm
The Skills and Knowledge Needed for the Naturalization Test

4 pm–4:45 pm
Starting and Maintaining a Comprehensive Adult Citizenship Preparation Program

Friday, 30 March

9:30 am–10:15 am
Contextualized Learning and the Adult Citizenship Classroom