Newcomer and Immigrant Communities: Support and Resources
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The Center for Equity for English Learners at LMU remains steadfast in our commitment to an assets-based, equitable, and just educational system that uplifts and supports multilingual students and their families. In light of recent federal policy shifts, we recognize the uncertainty and concern that many in our multilingual and English Learner communities may be experiencing. We offer a curated list of resources and agencies to guide policy, advocacy, instruction, and research responsive to newcomer and immigrant students, families, and communities.
- Policy, Guidance & Advocacy
- Curriculum & Instruction
- Supporting Students & Families
- Research
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Guidance for educators and community advocates to protect students' rights, support their families, and create safe, welcoming school environments.
Policy
- Bill Text - AB-714 Pupil instruction: newcomer pupils: curriculum frameworks: high school coursework and graduation requirements: exemptions and alternatives.
- California Department of Education’s (CDE) Assembly Bill (AB) 2121 FAQs web page provides responses to FAQs regarding AB 2121, which amended California Education Code (EC) sections 51225.1 and 51225.2 with respect to migratory children and newcomer pupil and their eligibility for graduation credit exemptions and a fifth year of high school.
- California Department of Education’s (CDE) AB 2735 FAQs web page provides responses to FAQs regarding AB 2735, thus adding EC Section 60811.8, which prohibits denial, to English learners, of equal participation in the standard instructional program of schools.
- California Department of Social Services (CDSS): Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program
- CalMatters: Guidance on FAFSA Forms
Guidance
- California Attorney General’s Office: Resources for California’s Immigrant Communities
- California Department of Justice: Promoting a Safe and Secure Learning Environment for All: Guidance and Model Policies to Assist California’s K-12 Schools in Responding to Immigration Issues.
- California Department of Education (CDE): Newcomer Students Webpage- Multilingual Learners
- Californians Together – A Guide to Creating Safe and Welcoming Schools for Immigrant and Refugee Students in California
- California Newcomer Network (CANN): 2024-25 Webinar Series – Law and Legal Services (Nov 2024)
- NCELA - English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs Webpage: Welcoming, Registering, and Supporting Newcomer Students: A Toolkit for Educators of Immigrant and Refugee Students in Secondary Schools
- PACE, Guidance for District Administrators Serving Newcomer Students
- PACE, San Juan Unified Newcomer Support: Promising Practices
Agencies & Organizations
- Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs
- California Immigrant Policy Center - https://caimmigrant.org/
- Immigrant Defense Project - https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/
Resources for educators to provide high-quality, inclusive education that addresses the diverse linguistic, cultural, and socio-emotional needs of newcomer and immigrant students.
Instructional Resources and Guidance
- California Newcomer Network (CANN): Resources - EdTech and Instructional Tools
- California Newcomer Network (CANN): Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Curriculum - https://www.calnew.net/resources/slifecurriculum
- CalNEW Webinar #2: Instructional Paradigms & Strategies for Newcomers
- Center for Equity for English Learners, published by Californians Together:
- Fostering a Safe and Inclusive Learning Environment in California’s PreK-12 Schools - Classroom Lesson Modules for Grades K-2, 3-5, & 6-12
- A Teachers’ Guide to Support Immigrant and Refugee Students’ Socio-Emotional Experiences
- Supporting Resilience and Socio Emotional Learning - Classroom Lesson Modules for Grades K-2, 3-5, & 6-12
- Colorín Colorado: Newcomer Students Webpage- https://www.colorincolorado.org/ell-basics/special-populations/newcomer-students
- Colorín Colorado: Featured Articles
- Using a Strengths-Based Approach with ELs: Supporting Students Living with Trauma, Violence and Chronic Stress
- 15 ELL Strategies for Paraprofessionals
- How to Create a Welcoming Classroom Environment for ELLs
- How to Support ELL Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFEs)
- Supporting Young ELLs' Success During COVID-19 (Part 1)
- Phonics Instruction for Middle and High School ELLs
- Confianza, LLC: Supporting Diverse Newcomer Students-What To Do When I Don't Know What To Do: New Arrivals,
- National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA): Newcomer Toolkit
- Chapter 4 - Providing High-Quality Instruction for Newcomers
- Webinar- Newcomer Toolkit: Creating Welcoming Environments for Newcomer Students | NCELA - English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs
- Other Toolkits: Toolkits | NCELA - English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs
Supporting Students & Families
Resources to help educational systems and/or families address students' social-emotional needs, ensure their physical and mental well-being, and provide access to legal resources to protect their rights and navigate legal challenges.
- Colorín Colorado: A Guide for Engaging ELL Families: Twenty Strategies for School Leaders
- Colorín Colorado: Working with Community Organizations to Support ELL Students
- Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE): Resources for Addressing Hate/Racism and Resources for Immigrant Students and Families
- Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE): Immigrant Relations & Services Website- https://www.lacoe.edu/services/student-support/immigrant-relations
- Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL): Supporting Multilingual Families Amid Immigration Fears Blog https://www.seal.org/news/supporting-multilingual-families-amid-immigration-fears
- Immigrant Family Defense Fund: https://immigrantfamilies.org/
Research
Studies and evidence-based findings on effective programs and services designed to support newcomer and immigrant students’ academic, social, and emotional needs.
- Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL): Ensuring Equity and Excellence for English Learners: An Annotated Bibliography for Research, Policy, and Practice, Newcomers Section.
- Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE): San Juan Unified School District Newcomer Support: Promising Practices.