Bengal News reporters
A room is divided into six focus groups. Teams consist of educators, administrators, community leaders and volunteers, each discussing ways to improve and expand English language learner programs in Buffalo.
This scene represents the first ever This scene represents the first ever BELL Network working conference, which took place Dec. 4 at Buffalo State College.
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| First BELL Network Conference |
English language learners are people of all ages and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some English language learners are recent immigrants, while others are young immigrants who have not yet had the chance to learn English. Because English is the primary language taught in most U.S. schools, these institutions face the challenge of making sure English language learners are competent in reading, writing and comprehension.
Tamara Alsace, director of Multilingual Education for Buffalo Public Schools, said diversity is continuing to expand in Buffalo schools, and that means languages are also expanding. Alsace said there are a total of 67 languages spoken by students locally. Spanish is the most spoken, followed by Korean, Somali and Arabic.
“In the Buffalo schools, we have seen an incredible increase in the number of ELLs over the past five years,” Alsace said. “It’s about a 40 percent increase from five years ago and we expect that trend to continue.”
And according to a policy research brief produced by the National Council of Teachers of English, “ELLs now comprise 10.5 percent of the nation’s K–12 enrollment, up from 5 percent in 1990.”
The challenges facing English language learners were some of the focal points of the conference. It was broken down into six categories: communications, resources, career, relationship building, early childhood and leadership. Teams were formed to discuss one of the six issues, and then given the task to create solutions and action plans moving forward.
The network committee is made up of the Buffalo Public Schools, local resettlement agencies, Buffalo State College, Houghton College and the Refugee Tutoring Project, which has been assisting West Side refugees for over four years now.
Currently there are numerous in and after school programs giving students social, cultural, academic and health support. These programs are hosted by organizations like Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc., Catholic Charities of Buffalo, First Presbyterian Church and Buffalo Public Schools.
The youth programs tutor and mentor students in reading, writing, math and English. Programs for adults consist of English classes, employment services such as interview and resume help and cultural assistance, which offers instructions with basic things like health care, grocery shopping and banking.
Ellen Henry, director of outreach at the First Presbyterian Church, said the BELL Network will be vital to supporting and sustaining the English language learner population in Buffalo.
“There are a number of programs to support English language learners, but their numbers and diversity are growing, which calls for an increase in services and support,” Henry said.
The network was formed in the spring after the U.S. Department of Education issued a federal initiative notifying schools and communities across the country to create a support system for English language learners based on the model, “from cradle through college to career.”
James Williams, superintendent of Buffalo Public Schools, was present at the conference and addressed the network in terms of financial and operational support. Williams said he is considering the BELL Network in his process of delegating a FOR A $500,000 grant the Buffalo Public Schools received for the 2010-2011 school year. Williams also said whether the school system is able to support BELL financially or not, it is in full support of the plan in place and will try to work along side BELL to address the many issues it faces trying to support English language learners.
Schools Superintendent James Williams, on the need for more language programs:
The future of the network looks promising. Consisting of representatives from organizations across the West Side with valuable skills and plenty of experience, the network has a strong core. Welborn said the next step is sending out conference “wrap-up packets so everyone can see the progress that was made.” After that is complete, another meeting is planned for January and Welborn is encouraged.
“The commitment is there to move this project forward,” Welborn said. “The next step is figuring out exactly how to get the job done.”
Edited by Steven Jagord
