ACF
Administration for Children and Families |
U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
1. Log No. ACF-IM-HS-08-14 |
2. Issuance Date: 08/26/08 |
3. Originating Office: Office of Head Start |
4. Key Word: OHS Dual Language Institute |
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO: Head Start and Early Head Start Grantees and Delegate Agencies
SUBJECT:
Invitation to the Office of Head Start National Dual Language
Institute: A Time for
Action
INFORMATION:
The Office of Head Start is proud to extend
this invitation to the National Dual Language Institute: A Time for
Action to all Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant and Seasonal
Head Start, and American Indian Alaska Native Head Start programs.
The Institute will be held on October 28-31, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
Through this Institute, the Office of Head Start is – for the
first time – bringing together leaders from Head Start programs
around the country to focus on how best to support young dual
language learners (also referred to as English language learners
(ELLs)) who are learning both English and their home language or
whose native languages are being revitalized. The Office of Head
Start identifies dual language learners as children learning two or
more languages at the same time, as well as those learning a second
language while continuing to learn their first language.
Institute Purpose and Goals
The purpose of the Dual Language Institute is to describe and
disseminate approaches and resources that foster dual language
development in young children, including their acquisition of
English.
The goals of the Dual Language Institute are
to:
- Emphasize sections of the Improving Head Start for School
Readiness Act of 2007 as well as the existing Head Start Program
Performance Standards in the area of dual language
learning.
- Highlight dual language acquisition research for children
birth to five and its implications for practice.
- Discuss the importance of dual language learning including the
acquisition of English, language revitalization, and cultural
responsiveness as they relate to school readiness and positive
outcomes for children.
- Provide tools and resources for programs to effectively
support dual language learners and their families.
- Demonstrate and disseminate methods, approaches, and
instructional practices for programs to effectively serve
children, families, and communities.
Institute Content
Plenary and breakout sessions will feature topics to address
issues important to Head Start programs that are already serving
diverse populations and programs that are anticipating a demographic
shift and a change in local population. The topics include: Program
Design and Management, Professional Development, Mental Health,
Family and Community Partnerships, Research, Assessment, Language
and Literacy, Social and Emotional Development, and Special
Populations.
Participants
The Institute will bring together Head Start program directors,
staff, and parents for discussions that will focus on acquiring
knowledge, gaining skills, and highlighting resources to address
challenges and maximize opportunities for young dual language
learners. The Office of Head Start is recommending that grantees
send up to three people to represent three of the following
positions:
- Program Director
- Education Manager
- Teacher Leader
- Parent Leader
Institute Registration and Fees
A web site (www.hsnrc.org/DLI/) has been
created to support communication and online registration for the
National Dual Language Institute. The registration fee of $295 per
participant is due, along with all completed registration forms, by
October 10, 2008. There are three easy ways to register: online,
mail, or fax. Head Start program funds may be used for registration,
lodging, travel, and related expenses; no supplemental funds will be
provided at this time.
We will be offering Continuing Education Units on a
session-by-session basis. The processing fee is $20 per person and
may be paid onsite via cash, check, or credit card. A listing of
sessions will soon be available on the Institute’s web site.
Recent History of Serving Dual Language
Learners
In the winter of 2005-2006, the Office of Head Start conducted a
review of program needs with respect to serving young dual language
learners, ages birth to five years. In early 2008, the Office of
Head Start released the Head Start Dual Language Report entitled Dual
Language: What Does It Take? which can be found on the Early Childhood
Learning and Knowledge Center (http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov). This report, based on a needs
assessment and research background, offers recommendations for a
comprehensive approach to support dual language learners.
The Office of Head Start recognizes that dual language learners
enter Head Start programs with unique challenges and opportunities.
The Office of Head Start’s interest in this topic arises from its
understanding of the importance of language development for learning
in all domains and as a precursor for literacy development. The
development of both language and early literacy are fundamental
building blocks for achieving Head Start’s legislated mandate of
promoting school readiness for all children.
Given Head Start’s history and commitment to serving young dual
language learners, I encourage program directors and managers,
teacher leaders, and parent leaders to attend the Dual Language
Institute to learn more about how your programs can meet the needs
of your diverse populations and promote dual language learning. I
look forward to seeing you at the Institute in October.
Sincerely,
/Patricia E. Brown/
Patricia E. Brown
Acting
Director
Office of Head Start
See PDF version:
Invitation to the Office of Head Start National Dual Language Institute: A Time for Action [PDF, 74KB]