46-3. Quality Bilingual Education/Professional Development
46-3.1. Needs Assessment.
The BOARD and the UNION shall work collaboratively in a CTU/CPS Joint Standing Bilingual Education Committee to assess the bilingual education programs across the district to identify and to assist in planning on how to address areas of need including in identifying and recommending resources/curricula to meet the needs of EL programs across the district.
46-3.2. Professional Development.
The BOARD shall expand opportunities for consistent, high quality, paid professional development with outside providers, when appropriate, related to instruction for English Learners during the school day to teachers who provide instruction to English Learners in grades Pre-K to 12th. This professional development may, but not solely be delivered by the English Learner Program Teacher and the Office of Multilingual - Multicultural Education. English Learners are defined in this Article as defined in 23 Ill. Admin. Code Sec. 228.10 excluding students needing services whose parents have refused bilingual services.
46-3.3. Resources and Materials.
Principals shall inform bilingual education teachers at the end of the school year for the upcoming school year the amount of funds that have been allocated in the school budget for bilingual education resources and materials and shall work with the bilingual education teachers to identify which resources and materials will be purchased to best serve the needs of English Learners. Principals shall seek input from ESL/BIL/DUAL educators, ELPT’s and Dual Language Coordinators and use Guidance, developed by the Joint Bilingual Education Committee, on the allocation and use of funds allocated for bilingual education. The principal shall notify the BAC of staffing changes as they relate to bilingual/ESL/Dual lang service, and ELPT nomination.
46-3.4. Workshop Access for Bilingual Advisory Committee.
The Office of Multilingual - Multicultural Education shall offer and provide workshops access to active Bilingual Advisory Committees. These Workshops must take place during the regular BAC meetings, and have a minimum requirement of ten (10) participants.
46-3.5. Federal and State Mandates.
The Board will comply with all Federal and State mandates related to ESL/BIL/DUAL education.
46-3.6. Dual Language and World Language Program Expansion.
Effective School Year 2025-2026, The BOARD will expand dual language and world language opportunities, prioritizing communities with limited access. To this end, the Board shall add three world language and three dual language programs per year for the duration of the contract with an emphasis on schools with TBE programs and historically Black schools with an influx of EL students.
46-3.7. Walk-Throughs in Bilingual Classrooms.
The Board recognizes the importance of differentiating walk-through tools to meet the needs of the bilingual educators and students. Concerns and feedback about the implementation of the district’s walkthrough process conducted in BIL/ESL/DUAL classrooms shall be addressed through the Joint Bilingual Committee. Any additional walkthrough tools designed to meet the needs of bilingual students and educators shall be shared with the Joint Bilingual Committee prior to classroom implementation.
46-3.8. Access to Student Programming Information.
Any administrative or staff members who are responsible for student programming/scheduling will access incoming student information such as ACCESS score, IEP minutes, district and/or state mandated test results through the District student information system, and share with teachers and staff assigned to provide instruction and services to the students in compliance with applicable laws and Board policies.