1. Office of Language and Cultural Education
BAC Best Practice
Office of Language and Cultural Education

2. Audience
Parent
Community
ELPT
Bil/ESL Teacher
Administrator

3. Design Your Name Tag 3 3 Parent Community ELPT School Title Name
Bil/ESL Teacher
Language
Culture
Administrator 3 3

4. Norms
Please turn off your telephones or put them on silent Please refrain from having side conversations during presentations If you MUST have a conversation please step outside quietly Save all questions until the end during the Q&A section Suspend judgment and assume good will. Speak candidly as a way to move the school forward Active, Respectful listening and speaking Share the airtime

5. Objectives
Our objective is to provide support and assistance to parents who are part of the bilingual advisory committees ("BAC") or other Committees, so they can carry out efficient meetings, exchange ideas and achieve their goals

6. Three program models for ELs
EL Programs Mandated by the State
Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE)
Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI)
EL Programs Recognized by the State
Dual Language Education (DLE)

7. Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE)
Kindergarten- 12th grade
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) sets the criteria- minimal 3 year CPS Mandate
Must be established in schools with 20 or more Els
Instruction is given in native language, after they reach a level of English, instruction is then given in English
Instruction is also given in English as a Second Language (ESL), which includes instruction on the history and culture of the U.S. and their family’s native country
As proficiency increases students are expected to “transition” to English Courses
Appropriate supports are provided

8. Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI)
Kindergarten – 12th grade
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Chicago School District sets the criteria- minimal 3 year student participation.
Implemented in any school with 19 or fewer Els
English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, additional resources, support (i.e. tutoring)
The use of native language in classroom when resources are available (i.e. teachers, aides)
Els expected to “transition” to English instruction

9. Dual Language Education (DLE)
Serves both Els and native-English speakers
Two languages used for instruction (English and a partner language)
Goal: teach all students to reach high levels of academic achievement bilingualism, biliteracy, and cross-cultural flexibility
Instructional time in each language varies but all DLE programs are 5 to 7 years and must provide at least 50% of the instructional time in native language
Not required by the state but DLE is recognized to meet or exceed all of the requirements of a TBE program

10. Terms for English Learner Education
EL: English Learner
ELL: English Language Learner
ELDL: English Learner/ Diverse Learner
LEP: Limited English Proficient
ELP: English Language Proficiency
TBE: Transitional Bilingual Education
TPI: Transitional Program of Instruction
HLS: Home Language Survey 10

11. Check for Understanding
Which program model is being implemented at your school (i.e. TBE, TPI, or DLE)?
Can you describe one difference between the TBE model and the TPI model?
Which two models are mandated by ISBE and CPS?
Which models is recognize but NOT mandated by ISBE and CPS?

12. GET INVOLVED Be present at the first parent meeting
How you can get involved in your children’s education
Be present at the first parent meeting
Practice effective communication with schools administration
Understand the purpose of the BAC Committee and meeting
Establish a protocol for the whole school year calendar

13. Parent Involvement and Engagement CMPC, LSC, BAC & PAC
CPS
LSC
PAC
CMPC
BAC 13

14. Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC)
Chicago School Reform Act: All schools including charters that have TBE program are required to establish a Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC)
Schools that have a TPI program are not required but are highly encouraged to have parents participate in the BAC meetings
Issues concerning the education of all English Learners (Els) are discussed and decided at these meetings.

15. Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC)
Goal: Help parents of Els develop leadership skills for effective participation in schools and to advocate for the academic, social, and cultural development of Els.
The BAC is recognized as a standing committee of the Local School Council (LSC)
The BAC reports to the LSC regarding bilingual education issues, updates, and concerns in the school

16. BAC Structure
I. President II. Vice-President III. Secretary IV. Representative V. Alternate Representative VI. Student Enrolled in a program for Els (high schools only)

17. Bilingual Advisory Committee (BAC)
The president and a majority of the members of the BAC shall be parents of students in the program for Els
By September 30th of each academic year
All officers of the BAC are elected
BAC Member Information and Schedule of Meetings (Mandatory minimum of 5 meetings) must be submitted
Title III funds: $250 set a side at the local level for refreshments at for BAC meetings and/or activities
BAC officers should be informed about funds for parents under the NCLB Act, as well as collaborating with other various local school parent committees.

18. BAC Election Requirements
An election shall be held in each school
The school’s Administration or EL Program Teacher will preside the election
Parent of Els in TBE and/or TPI programs should elect members of the BAC
The EL Program Teacher will select one student to be a part of the BAC (high schools only)

19. Responsibilities of BAC Members
President
·         Presides over all school BAC meetings
·         Assists in the development of meeting agendas (see appendix)
·         Attends all Academic Network BAC meetings
·         Represents the school’s interests and the network’s interest
·         Votes and voices opinions at the Academic Network level
·         Shares information with BAC members
·         Reports at LSC meetings – Ensures they are on the LSC agenda 

20. Responsibilities of BAC Members Cont.
Vice President · Assumes responsibilities of the President in her or his absence · Assumes other responsibilities assigned by the BAC President

21. Responsibilities of BAC Members Cont.
Secretary · Records minutes of meetings · Prepares and distributes minutes (see appendix) · At meetings, reads minutes of prior meetings · Posts dates for all BAC meetings · Maintains a notebook of records, attendance sheets, and handouts (see appendix) from meetings · Files copies of records in the school office; sends a copy to the Community Relations Representatives (CRRs) · Certifies that there are enough members present for motions and voting

22. Responsibilities of BAC Members Cont.
Representative ·Assumes the responsibilities of the Secretary in his or her absence ·Assists with duties as requested by the Secretary Alternate Representative ·Assumes the same responsibilities as the Representative

23. Rules and Regulations for BAC Officers
•Officers will be elected for a term of one year
•Officers are to attend all training sessions
•Officers will be dismissed after three consecutive unexcused absences
• In the event of an officer vacancy, the remaining officers and BAC members will appoint an officer to fill the vacancy
•Officers shall not represent the BAC without prior authorization from the BAC

24. Meeting Protocol
· EL Program Teacher, or other personnel, should facilitate and attend monthly BAC meetings · Four meetings a year are mandatory, not including the organizational election meeting · Meetings will be conducted in the language of the majority of members · An agenda and sign-in sheet must be prepare for each BAC meeting · Meetings must be held in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (OMA)

25. Open Meetings Act (OMA)
· At the annual organizational meeting, the BAC must set a schedule of the times, dates, and location(s) of all regular meetings. This schedule must be publicized and posted at the school.
· A written notice, including the agenda for each BAC meeting, must be visible to the general public at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
· All meetings must be held at a time and place that is convenient and open to the public.
· If a change is made to the regular meeting schedule, the BAC must give at least 10 days’ notice by posting it at the school and submitting an updated schedule to the OLCE CRR Unit.
· If the BAC cancels a meeting, it should notify the public by posting a notice at the school and submit a notice to the OLCE CRR Unit.
· Although public participation is not required at regular meetings, it is strongly encouraged. The BAC should adopt and publish reasonable rules regarding public participation.

26. Tips on how to conduct an effective meeting
Ensure BAC meeting agenda and a sign-in sheet is prepared before the meeting begins
Ensure all participants sign in
Ensure there are enough copies of the agenda for all participants
Ensure refreshments are set up
The President welcomes and opens the meeting, then presents their report to the BAC
the meeting then proceeds as the agenda outlines
Ensure enough time after all topics on the agenda have been covered for questions or concerns to be addressed/ clarified
Write down any items that need follow up for next meeting
Motion to close the meeting

27. Tips on how to conduct an effective meeting
Respectfully ask participants to:
Be fully present/active listeners- Turn off cell phones
Do not make assumptions- Ask for clarification
Do not take things personal
Do their best to understand others point of view
Speak their truth as they know it
Respect confidentiality
Accept and expect discomfort when speaking about difficult issues
Be inclusive and respectful during discussions

28. THANK YOU!
For more information, please contact your Citywide Bilingual Community Relations Representative (CRR):
Hilda Calderon-Peña (773)
Maria M. Godinez (773)
Ruth Peña (773)
Isabel Castro (773)