The Nebraska International Languages Association is official opening our call for proposals for our 2020 Fall Conference.

The 2020 Nebraska International Language Association Conference invites proposals for 50 minute sessions on a variety of topics.

The theme of this year’s conference is:  Believe Achieve: Biliteracy in Nebraska…Honestly, it IS for everyone. The NILA Fall Conference will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2020 at Omaha South High School in Omaha, Nebraska. Proposals are accepted until Friday, May 1, 2020.  Presenters will be notified by June 15th, 2020 if the proposal is accepted.  All presenters must still register for the NILA conference: this form does not serve as a formal registration. Please go to the Proposal Form.

Nebraska’s third annual World Language Week kicks off April 5-11 online. The ability to communicate in more than one language affords students immediate access into global connections and perspectives. To speak another language grows an awareness of cultures and identities of others while gaining a greater understanding of one’s own culture, identity, and language. World Language Week honors the power of languages to make you college, career, and civic ready. Check the Facebook page (@NDE.WL) for information and updates. The following materials are still available online  under the World Language Week tab as free downloads: Power of Languages posters, Power of Languages stickers, College, career, civic ready posters, Infographics. To see the full biographies of World Language Distinguished Scholars, please visit the online slideshow at shorturl.at/bmIW7.

Katy Cattlett, President-Elect
Principal
Omaha Public Schools
katy.cattlett@ops.org

Katy speaks…Spanish and English.

How do you maintain your proficiency in the language?
I use my Spanish to communicate with students, staff, and parents daily.

What would you recommend to educators to build their pedagogy and practice?
Learn about language acquisition from both the perspective of world languages and English learner programs. Both have similar viewpoints but have valid and proven strategies that could positively improve instruction in the other. Believe in your students and yourself. Cultivate a growth mindset.

Liliana Velasco, Vice President
Spanish Teacher
Columbus High School
velascol@icloud.com

Liliana speaks…Spanish and English and studied French.

How do you maintain your proficiency in the language?
I use my Spanish in teaching and for general communication in and out of school. Unfortunately, I have lost proficiency in French, which I studied for 8 years.

How do you feel Nebraska is raising the standards for world language education?
I believe Nebraska is working proactively to provide a good language education to students in most districts. However, there are districts in Nebraska where languages are not as important, or where languages options are not provided. Our new standards encourage growth in language and learning. I believe the insight learners have to provide about their learning and proficiency level is a strength within the new standards.

Nebraska Department of Education World Language Program List of Resources

Provides list of online courses, reference materials, tutorials, and authentic resources. List is ongoing and suggestions are welcome. Materials referenced must be completely subscription free, open educational resources.

ACTFL offers a free one-year membership and access to their materials which include professional development online learning modules, professional library of journals, an online community, and access to AAPPL Communication Builder. AAPPL CB is an online workspace in which teachers can assign tasks in all three modes of communication.

NCSSFL Resource Response to COVID-19 Crisis

NCSSFL leadership has gathered an extensive collection of resources regarding COVID-19, instructional methodology, authentic resources, technology resources for teaching online, and dual language learning online.

Like many aspects of life, the World Language Review was put on hold last month as we all struggled to respond to the COVID-19 Crisis. Eventually we will move beyond this crisis. When we do, there will be some important lessons to keep in mind. Having an online presence is no longer an option in education. While most teachers, especially world language teachers, work with technology in teaching, many of us are not comfortable with online communication software, online course content software, and online grading practices. I encourage you to look for resources to support these areas. Some helpful organizations include NETA,  Google for Education, and ISTE. While there may still be some things to learn, overall educators throughout the state have responded admirably to this crisis by maintaining a sense of norm and a connection for all of their students.

This Week in Review is all about the Coronavirus and what Nebraska Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education are doing to help supportr schools in alternative learning environments. We will get through this together. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NBjsBgj6Xc&feature=youtu.be

The NDE is suspending summative statewide assessment (NSCAS) for the 2019-2020 school year. This includes NSCAS – General, Alternate, and ACT. The NDE intends to pursue federal waivers for testing, accountability, and reporting requirements. The NDE is working with ACT to determine if all public high school third-year cohorts who would normally take the ACT as part of the statewide assessment may have the opportunity to take the ACT free-of-charge at a later date.

NDE is working with ACT and NWEA to provide more detailed directions about returning assessment materials. Please look for these specific emails over the next couple of days.
For AQuESTT Accountability and ESSA Designations, NDE will work closely with school district leaders, the State Board of Education, and the U.S. Department of Education to pursue policy adjustments.

The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is suspending the Nebraska Student-Centered Assessment System (NSCAS) testing for the week of March 16-20, 2020 due to concerns regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) and school closures across the state.

The NSCAS testing window was scheduled to open today, Monday, March 16. Right now, the priority is to ensure the health and safety of students, educators, and communities.

This is a rapidly changing situation. The NDE will continue to gather information and will share an update about NSCAS testing later this week.

Public Health Resources for Districts, Schools, Students, and Families:
The Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) is committed to assisting school communities during public health emergencies. We support school districts in their decisions to keep student and staff safety their top priority. Should a crisis arise, NDE will work closely with other state and federal agencies to ensure continuation of critical services to students, families, and educators and the restoration of the teaching and learning environment.

Coronavirus Resource Page

Greetings,

While the NSCAS test windows have not even opened, it is already time to start planning for next year. Below is a link for an application for summer NSCAS test development work for both NSCAS General and Alternate.

We would like all districts to encourage their best and brightest educators to apply for the NSCAS test development opportunities. It is important to NDE to get broad representation from districts, and it is a great way to enhance assessment literacy in Nebraska educators! We particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. The whole process is best when diverse voices contribute to the creation and maintenance of NSCAS assessments.

Summer of 2020- NSCAS Test Development

The Chrome browser is preferred for this application. The first page of the application will offer details about content areas and dates. Please let NDE know if you have any questions about the application or the test development opportunities. The initial selection process will begin February 17.

Statewide Assessment

Guidance for Text-to-Speech 

In observance of President’s Day the NDE Statewide Assessment office will be closed on February 17, 2020.

Access the training at the link below:

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2089015/256968E94607945AB18CDEFCE31EAFB0

One of the most frequent questions asked regarding the 2019 World Language Standards is “What do I have to buy? Should I use this resource or that resource?” I would challenge us to look first at our ultimate goal. What do you want students to be able to do with the language? The Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy is the high honor of proficiency in language learning, celebrating a student’s ability to function for the purpose of academia or career in the language. Districts that want students to qualify for the Nebraska Seal of Biliteracy and other high honors will create programming to support that goal. Use your proficiency goal as the guidance for curriculum and instruction. As we know, proficiency is built through practice, not necessarily materials.

Stephanie Call, World Languages Specialist ♦ 402-471-4331 ♦ stephanie.call@nebraska.gov

America to Zanzibar: Muslim Cultures Near and Far
Omaha
January 18-March 19
•
Russian Dances
Lincoln
February 22
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UNO Culture Fest
Omaha
February 23
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Michael Londra and the Celtic Fire
Lincoln
March 17
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2020 UNO Wambli Sapa Memorial Pow Wow
Omaha
April 4
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Nebraska World Language Week
April 5-11
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Vivir Banquet
Omaha
April 24
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Mini French Convention
Camp Carol Joy Holling
May 2
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International Pancake Feed
Grand Island
May 9