COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Department of Education

August 7, 2015

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Expediting Comprehension for English Language Learners (ExC-ELL) 101 Institute

As part of the Virginia Department of Education’s ongoing effort to ensure compliance with Section 3111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), an ExC-ELL 101 Institute for educators of English Language Learners (ELLs) will be offered.  This two-day professional development training will be presented by Dr. Margarita Calderón & Associates at the following site on the dates specified below:

*Note: Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

The ExC-ELL 101 Institute is intended for kindergarten through grade 12 educators of ELLs.  The two-day training will present, model, and engage participants in research-based instructional strategies for integrating academic language, reading comprehension, and writing strategies into the content areas to assist ELLs in mastering academic content.

Registration:  Additional information including an online registration link and lodging details can be located at the following link: http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/excell.  The Office of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech will manage online registration. The deadline for registration is Thursday, September 3, 2015.

Lodging Costs:  A limited block of hotel rooms for those outside of a fifty-mile radius of the training location will be paid by the Department.  The room cost will be master-billed to the Department upon departure.  Room reservations must be made by Friday, August 14, 2015.   It is the responsibility of attendees to make their own reservations.  To reserve a room, call the hotel provided in the chart above and reference “Virginia Department of Education, ExC-ELL 101 Institute.”

Authorized Expenses:  Evening meals, parking, and travel costs are the responsibility of attendees; however, these expenses are authorized activities and may be charged to local Title I, Part A; Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A; or Title III, Part A, budgets.  Materials, breakfast, and lunch will be provided.

Cancellation: If participants need to cancel their hotel reservations, please contact the hotel directly, as well as Christy Wallace, the Virginia Tech registrar, no later than Thursday, September 3, 2015, at wallacec@vt.edu or (540) 231-6735.

For questions, please contact Judy Radford, ESL professional development coordinator, at Judy.Radford@doe.virginia.gov or (804) 786-1692.

SRS/jr