CAL Presentation: Affecting Policy through Coalition: the National English Learner Roundtable
2026-03-25 12:00 - 13:15 (America/Denver)
Event: TESOL Conference 2026
Date & Time: March 25, 2026 | 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Session Format: Roundtable
Presenter(s):
Diep Nguyen (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Merica Clinkenbeard (NAELPA)
Jeff Hutcheson (TESOL International Association)
Margarita Machado-Casas (NABE)
Jenni Mondi De Torres (WIDA)
Description:
The National English Learner Roundtable represents over 20 organizations whose members are serving multilingual learners of English and their educators, schools, and communities in the United States. Panelists from partner associations will provide an overview of activities and efforts to affect positive policy for English learners in U.S. public education.

CAL Presentation: Intersectional Identities Within and Beyond TESOL: Continuing the Conversation
2026-03-26 08:00 - 2026-04-03 09:15 (America/Denver)
Event: TESOL Conference 2026
Location: Ballroom J at the Salt Palace Convention Center
Date & Time: March 26, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 9:15 AM
Session Format: Intersection Session
Presenter(s):
Dr. Ching-Ching Lin (Adelphi University)
Dr. Kia Johnson (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Ricardo Valle (Euroidiomas)
Moderator:
Drew Fagan (University of Maryland)
Description:
Description: This panel aims to extend and expand collective efforts by showcasing intersectional identities in TESOL and amplifying identities across generations and geographical spaces in teaching, research, mentoring, and leading. Panelists explore disability, queerness, leadership, race, multilingualism, and other identities crucial for cultivating and sustaining intersectional identities within and beyond TESOL.

CAL Presentation: Increasing EL Achievement Through Teacher Capacity Building
2026-03-26 13:00 (America/Denver)
Event: TESOL Conference 2026
Location: 150 DEF at the Salt Palace Convention Center
Date & Time: March 26, 2026 |1:00 PM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenter(s):
Marybelle Marrero-Colón (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Carmen De La Cruz Scales (Carlin Springs Elementary School)
This presentation showcases one school’s journey toward capacity building. By focusing on an effective, research-based model, this school built a 3-year plan to improve teacher capacity. Supported by a job-embedded approach featuring guided lesson design and lesson study, results are noted in improved teacher evaluations, student achievement, and language proficiency.

CAL Presentation: Making Literacy Instruction Meaningful for Multilingual Learners Through Interactive Activities
2026-03-26 14:30 (America/Denver)
Event: TESOL Convention 2026
Location: Ballroom F at the Salt Palace Convention Center
Date & Time: March 26, 2026 | 2:30 PM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenter(s):
Marybelle Marrero-Colón (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Kia Johnson (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
This session explores how literacy instruction can be meaningful and fun through activities such as multilingual story boxes, multicultural literacy autobiographies, dice conversations, and writing from visuals. Participants engage in various activities and analyze how they can support foundational skill development, reading comprehension, and language acquisition.

CAL Presentation: Leading and Learning for Rural Multilingual Learners: An Inquiry Session
2026-03-27 10:00 - 10:45 (America/Denver)
Event: TESOL Convention 2026
Location: Ballroom F at the Salt Palace Convention Center
Date & Time: March 27, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenter(s):
Diep Nguyen(Center for Applied Linguistics)
Kia Johnson (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
This session explores how literacy instruction can be meaningful and fun through activities such as multilingual story boxes, multicultural literacy autobiographies, dice conversations, and writing from visuals. Participants engage in various activities and analyze how they can support foundational skill development, reading comprehension, and language acquisition.

Conference Presentation: Hyperparameter Optimization for Neural Network-Based IRT in Constrained Settings
2026-04-09 09:45 - 10:45 UTC
“Hyperparameter Optimization for Neural Network-Based IRT in Constrained Settings“
Event: NCME Annual Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 9, 9:45 AM ET – 10:45 AM ET
Session Format: Presentation
Presenters:
Seong Eun Hong
Description:
This study investigates hyperparameter optimization in neural network-based IRT estimation. Using simulation with varying item pool sizes, iterations, and tuning strategies, results show fine-tuning improves performance under constrained settings, offering practical guidelines for implementing neural networks in educational assessment with limited item banks and test administrations

Conference Presentation: Implementing Multilingual Multimodal Classroom Assessment Activities: Evidence from Elementary School Science"
2026-04-09 09:45 - 11:15 (America/New_York)
“Implementing Multilingual Multimodal Classroom Assessment Activities: Evidence from Elementary School Science”
Event: NCME Annual Meeting
Date: Thursday, April 9, 9:45 AM – 11:15 AM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenters:
Keira Ballantyne
Amy Burden
Brittany York
Description:
Multilingual students in K-12 settings are learning and being assessed in content areas while still in the process of learning the language of the assessment. Our research project explores how classroom educators might use multilingual multimodal formative assessment activities to gain a clearer picture of multilingual elementary students’ scientific sense-making.

Conference Presentation: A Holistic Model for Developing an Early Childhood English Language Proficiency Assessment
2026-04-11 15:30 - 17:00 (America/New_York)
“A Holistic Model for Developing an Early Childhood English Language Proficiency Assessment”
Event: NCME Annual Meeting
Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Session Format: Presentation
Location: Silver Lake A
Presenters:
Yu Lan Su (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Aubrey Sahouria (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Jasmine Tsai, Yamei Wang (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
This two-year study outlines the development of a psychometrically sound English language proficiency assessment for early childhood learners, leveraging storybook-based tasks to enhance engagement. The assessment underwent a rigorous multi-phase process to achieve strong psychometric characteristics. This presentation details the methodological framework and analyses that underpin the final assessment forms.

Conference Presentation: From Support to Independence Fading Scaffolds in the Science Classroom
2026-04-17 09:20 (America/Denver)
“From Support to Independence Fading Scaffolds in the Science Classroom“
Event: NSTA 2026 Conference
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2026 | 9:20 AM
Session Format: Presentation
Location: Platinum Ballroom 2
Presenters:
Maria Cieslak (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
Multilingual learners often need extra support to fully engage with science content, but the goal is independence. In this session, elementary teachers will explore strategies for creating scaffolds that provide just the right amount of support, then systematically fade them as students gain knowledge, language skills, and confidence. Through examples, hands-on activities, and discussion, participants will learn how to scaffold science investigations, discussions, and writing so students can move from guided participation to independent problem-solving. Teachers will leave with practical, classroom-ready approaches to support multilingual learners’ language and content growth while fostering independence, curiosity, and a love of science. One Main Takeaway: Develop strategies to fade scaffolds effectively for multilingual learners in science, supporting a transition from guided participation to independent thinking while fostering curiosity and mastery.

Conference Presentation: It Takes A Village: Bringing Multicultural Funds of Knowledge into the Science Classroom
2026-04-17 11:40 - 17:00 (America/Denver)
“It Takes A Village: Bringing Multicultural Funds of Knowledge into the Science Classroom“
Event: NSTA 2026 Conference
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2026 | 10:40 AM
Session Format: Presentation
Location: Platinum Ballroom 3
Presenters:
Brittany York (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
This session will present theoretical viewpoints and research, including the federally-funded M2-Si grant, that illuminate the value within funds of knowledge and how those perspectives lead to higher quality science. Researchers will share how their rigorous revision process infused students’ assets and families’ funds of knowledge into formative assessment activities. They will grant access to formative assessments and other materials for the science classroom that bolster students’ assets and involve their families along with preliminary findings. They will walk attendees through strategies that engage students’ voices and experiences, assessment materials and activities that can be shared with families, and resources to support bringing funds of knowledge into the science classroom.

Conference Presentation: STEM, AI, and the Multilingual Mind: Navigating Digital Culture Shock in the Classroom
2026-04-17 13:20 - 17:00 (America/Denver)
“STEM, AI, and the Multilingual Mind: Navigating Digital Culture Shock in the Classroom“
Event: NSTA 2026 Conference
Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2026 | 1:20 PM
Session Format: Presentation
Location: 153 North Building
Presenters:
Maria Cieslak (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
As digital tools and AI rapidly transform STEM education, multilingual learners face unique challenges that go beyond language barriers – Digital Culture Shock. In this session, participants will explore how the intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and language learning impacts STEM classrooms. We will examine the stages of digital culture shock and highlight practical approaches for turning digital shifts into opportunities for engagement and innovation. Attendees will gain strategies to integrate AI and digital tools intentionally to scaffold academic language, build STEM literacy, and empower multilingual learners to thrive in today’s STEM classroom. One-Main Takeaway: Multilingual learners face digital culture shock in STEM with new technologies, AI tools, and language demands. Participants will explore strategies to support STEM access, language development and empowerment to thrive in digital classrooms.

Conference Presentation: Languaging, Tansculturalism, and Identity in Dual Language Education
2026-06-05 11:00 - 11:50 (America/New_York)
“Languaging and Transculturalism in Dual Language Education
Event: Chicago Public Schools Dual Language Conference
Date: Friday, June 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM
Session Format: Presentation
Presenters:
Analleli Hernández (Center for Applied Linguistics)
Description:
How do we leverage students’ full linguistic repertoires to deepen content learning and strengthen their biliteracy trajectory? This session examines classroom scenarios where intentional languaging practices support language development, metalinguistic awareness and transculturalism. Designed for dual language teachers, coaches, and administrators, this session directly addresses the three pillars of dual language education in CAL’s Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education.

CAL Literacy: A Comprehensive Approach to Literacy Instruction for Multilingual Learners
2026-07-20 - 2026-07-23
📚 Strengthen literacy instruction for multilingual learners this summer with CAL’s newest virtual institute!
📅 July 20–23, 2026
🕘 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM ET
💻 Virtual Institute
This four-day professional learning experience is designed for educators, instructional coaches, literacy leaders, administrators, and multilingual learner specialists seeking a more integrated, research-based approach to literacy instruction.
Participants will explore:
✨ Comprehensive literacy instruction for multilingual learners
✨ Oral language development and literacy connections
✨ Cross-linguistic transfer & metalinguistic awareness
✨ Culturally and linguistically sustaining literacy practices
✨ Systems-level and classroom planning grounded in students’ linguistic assets
✨ Practical strategies ready for immediate implementation
Ideal for educators in:
✔ General education
✔ ESL/EL programs
✔ Bilingual and dual language settings
✔ Literacy coaching and instructional leadership
✔ District curriculum, assessment, and multilingual learner support
🎓 Participants receive a digital badge recognizing 22 hours of professional learning and engagement.
🔗 Learn more and register: https://solutions.cal.org/event/cal-literacy-comprehensive-approach-to-literacy-instruction
Seats are limited. Join educators from across the country in advancing equitable, high-quality literacy instruction for multilingual learners.
