English learners are one of the fastest-growing student populations in U.S. schools, yet district leaders and educators face challenges in building equitable systems to support them. A forum will examine how K-12 leaders can reimagine instruction, screening, and family engagement for English learners across all grade levels.
Reimagining Instruction
Through interactive sessions, expert panel discussions, and data insights, the forum will unpack how school structures impact daily instruction, the risks of high-stakes screening in early childhood, and the practical implementation of AI-powered translation tools.
Attendees will gain research-backed insights on play- and story-based screening tools that prevent the early misclassification and tracking of young multilingual learners. They will also receive concrete frameworks for evaluating how a district structures daily English learner instruction and where instructional responsibility falls.
Supporting Multilingual Learners
Dr. José Viana, a former English learner himself, offers a personal perspective on what multilingual learners need to succeed. He challenges K-12 leaders to unite language development with rigorous literacy instruction and ensure that access never means simplification.
Viana, who has over 27 years of experience in education, most recently served as Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director of the Office of English Language Acquisition at the U.S. Department of Education. He led national efforts to support English learners and invites leaders to consider whether their systems are prepared to nurture the potential of multilingual learners.
Harnessing AI-Powered Translation Tools
As school districts turn to artificial intelligence to bridge language gaps with non-English-speaking families, educators face a high-stakes balancing act between accessibility and accuracy. A session will examine how K-12 leaders can harness AI-powered translation tools without compromising student data privacy or misinterpreting cultural nuances.
Meredith Wemhoff, who works with K-12 schools to increase access to ebooks, audiobooks, and digital resources, will provide actionable ideas to boost literacy, engagement, and academic outcomes across diverse language needs. She has experience supporting districts across the U.S. and around the world and helps educators leverage digital content to engage diverse student populations.
The forum will also recap the big ideas and key insights from the event, providing attendees with a detailed understanding of how to support English learners and multilingual students. By reimagining instruction, screening, and family engagement, K-12 leaders can create more equitable systems that support the diverse needs of their students. This approach will help them develop effective strategies to meet the unique needs of English learners and multilingual students, ultimately leading to better academic outcomes.
