L2: Discussion - Action Plan Reflection - Frame Your Design Challenge - Template

What is the problem you are trying to solve?

ELL misplacement. Many times ELL students are placed wrongly in the classroom. Some
are placed in ELL classes while others are mainstreamed, some are placed in the wrong
level, some are classified as special ed when they shouldn’t be and vice versa, while ELL
gifted students are rarely placed in the gifted program. Misplacement of ELLs is not common
topic, but research shows it is happening, and all too often.

Take a stab at framing it as a design question.

What are the current procedures for ELL placement?

Now, state the ultimate impact you’re trying to have.

Ultimately, correct placement of ELLs by better procedures, testing and more qualified
teachers would be my goal.

What are some possible solutions to your problem?

One solution would be to improve test quality and standards. Many tests are biased and
difficult for ELLs to understand because of this. Sometimes students do not even understand
the testing method, such as multiple choice. Another solution may be to create better
procedures for admitting/exiting ELLs and passing or demoting to the next level. A third
solution may be to have better qualified teachers and staff to implement these tasks better. A
fourth solution may lie in getting more money for school districts to carry the other solutions
out.

Finally, write down some of the context and constraints that you’re facing. (These
could be geographic, technological, time-based, or have to do with the population
you’re trying to reach.)
 Getting school districts, schools, states and the government to change something is not an
easy task. There needs to be adequate research to first prove the lack of procedures and
misplacement, research that shows what will work if we change thing, and then there are
special procedures that have to be followed and this will be challenging. Contacting schools
or districts to find how they place students will also be challenging, I think, to get to the right
people. Then of course, there is the time constraints of this class...not to mention everything
else in life.

Does your original question need a tweak? Try it again.

What are the current procedures for ELL placements?

L2: Assignment - Advocacy Action Plan - Template

Design/Challenge Question (from the framing exercise):

What are the current procedures for ELL placements?

Advocacy Focus Statement:

Identifying what the current procedures for ELL placement is.

Actionable Goals: (You can have 1-3 Goals. Goals should be written as SMART Goals:
Specific Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, Time Bound). For example: By the
end of TEL 410, I will contact 3 state legislatures to discuss school safety.

1. I will identify the steps for ELLs to be placed into an ELL program within the St.
Johns School District and how they are placed or what decides which level they are
placed in (if this differs at all) the week of 11/5.
2. I will create a presentation/pdf/brochure of pertinent information, with school staff in
mind, by 11/20
 3. I will post presentation on my website or facebook by the 11/30.

Actions: List specific actions you will take to achieve your goals here. You should
have several action items for each goal. Think through, and list, each step you will
need to take to achieve your goal.

1. Identify placement procedures

- Research the district
- Email several people in the ELL department
- Make contact by phone or email questions
- Try to contact 1-2 schools within the district and ask the same questions
- email a few people in each school
- Research the state and find the procedures or tests that are to be admitted
- Find a 1-2 laws about ELL placement in Florida
-possibly contact state representatives if not enough information is available online

2. Presentation
- Complete all research
- Analyse data
- Organize data
- Create an outline for presentation
- Write out the highlights
- Find pictures
- Create voice over
- Proofread

3. Post Presentation
-recheck presentation
-convert it to the right format
-deal with unforeseen problems with uploading or creating link
-upload it to the site
-smile in relief! ;)
Timeline (list dates, deadlines):

1. The week of 11/5 ; Identify placement procedures

2. 11/20 ; create presentation
3. 11/30 ; post presentation

Budget/Resource Needs (membership fees, electronic resources, etc.):

*these may be tangible or intangible resources

1. Internet
2. Websites
3. Powerpoint
4. Voice recording

Build your Team (create your own team, or align yourself to an organization already
involved in your advocacy focus work):
**This section may list team members or contact information for the organization
you are working with.

TESOL International Association

Mailing Address
1925 Ballenger Avenue, Suite 550
Alexandria, Virginia 22314-6820 USA

Telephone
Main: +1 703.836.0774
General information: info@tesol.org
Customer service: members@tesol.org

St. Johns Department of Education

Main Telephone Number
(904) 547-7500

Mailing Address
40 Orange Street
St. Augustine, FL 32084

Florida Covering Kids & Families

Mailing Address:

13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd, MDC 56

Tampa, FL 33612
Physical Address:
3010 USF Banyan Circle
Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: (813) 974-3623
https://health.usf.edu/publichealth/chiles/fckaf/re-outreach
ELL Outreach Project Coordinator:
Joel Velasco by email at jvelasc1@health.usf.edu.

Florida Literacy Coalition

..235 Maitland Ave. S #102

Maitland, FL 32751
..Phone: (407)-246-7110
..Fax: (407)-246 - 7104
Florida Literacy Hotline
(800) - 237 - 5113

https://floridaliteracy.org/literacy_resources__teacher_tutor__esl.html

Colorín Colorado
WETA Public Television
2775 S. Quincy St.
Arlington, VA 22206

E-mail: info@colorincolorado.org