WestEd experts will present at the California Association for Bilingual Education Annual Conference this March 4–7, 2026, in San Francisco, California.
This year’s conference theme is CABE Strong: United for Equity & Empowerment by Our Cultures and Multiplicity of Languages.
WestEd will be presenting on a range of topics:
- effective professional learning communities
- supporting long-term English Learners
- mathematical conversations that engage students
- high-quality dual language programs
Explore research-based tools and practical strategies from WestEd that will help you turn insight into action for multilingual learners with our collection of essential resources!
See our presentations below and stop by the WestEd exhibit booth #703 to learn more (see exhibit hours below).
Get updates about our activities by following us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
WestEd Sessions
Wednesday, March 4
System-Level Conditions for Implementing and Sustaining Quality DLI Programs
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 2 – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: Gabriela Uro and Annette Gregg
Experts will lead participants to explore WestEd’s evidence-based rubrics for evaluating system-level conditions critical to implement and sustain high-quality dual language immersion (DLI) programs. Participants will engage in a guided self-assessment to uncover areas of strength and improvement across district, school, and classroom levels, related to effective program design, strategic staffing, and biliteracy-focuses professional learning. Whether you are a district leader, school administrator, or DLI coordinator, this workshop provides practical frameworks to help you lead transformative change in your DLI programs.
Thursday, March 5
Mathematical Conversations That Engage All Students and Enhance Their Learning
Time: 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Location: Nob Hill A – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: José Franco
Join us to discover how to create a math classroom culture where every student’s voice is valued, fostering a space of respect and active participation. Academic talk helps students learn from others. We’ll explore strategies to guide students in contrasting correct solutions with common errors (pitfalls), deepening their mastery of essential math standards and enhancing their conceptual understanding. This session will equip you with actionable techniques to improve academic dialogue, crucial for unlocking a robust understanding of mathematics and adapting to diverse learners, including those who are multilingual.
Sustaining and Expanding DLI Programs: New Opportunity to Meet the Needs of Dually Identified Students
Time: 3:15–4:15 p.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 2 – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: David Lai (Council of the Great City Schools) and Gabriela Uro (WestEd)
This session offers an overview of the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) and WestEd partnership to develop tools and protocols to support districts in sustaining quality Dual Language Immersion (DLI) programs and expanding instructional models to also serve dually identified students. Participants will learn about the DLI Playbook for Inclusive Programming, a tool jointly developed by CGCS and WestEd to help districts design DLI programs that effectively serve dually identified students. WestEd will also share its DLI implementation rubrics, which can help districts discern areas of growth and improvement to sustain or expand DLI programs.
Coaching Teachers to Implement the ELA/ELD Framework With Impact
Time: 3:15–4:15 p.m.
Location: Sierra C – Fifth Floor
Presenter: Annette Gregg (WestEd) and Luis Covarrubias (Hayward Unified School District)
This session highlights how instructional coaching can support teachers in implementing California’s English Language Arts (ELA)/English Language Development (ELD) Framework with a focus on shifting mindsets and classroom practices. Participants will explore key framework-aligned strategies such as integrated language instruction, purposeful scaffolding, and collaborative conversations to learn how coaching can foster sustainable change that supports Multilingual Learner success in both integrated and designated ELD settings.
Friday, March 6
Language, Leadership, and Learning: Jurupa USD’s Journey Toward Opportunity for ELs
Time: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 12 – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: Annette Gregg (WestEd)
This session explores how systematic leadership can drive sustainable change for Multilingual Learners. Participants will learn how Jurupa Unified School District developed a shared vision and professional learning plan to support all students. We will share lessons learned in aligning efforts across district leaders, site administrators and teachers, building trust, and maintaining focus on opportunity, language development, and access to rigorous instruction. Attendees will leave with ideas on how to start coherent, locally-relevant improvement efforts for Multilingual Learners.
Saturday, March 7
Partnering for Multilingual Learner Excellence: Alisal Union and WestEd’s VITAL PLC Journey
Time: 9–10 a.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 1 – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: Erica Silva (WestEd) and Monica Anzo (Alisal Union School District)
Learn how Alisal Union School District and WestEd transformed Professional Learning Communities using the Visibly Improving Teaching and Learning (VITAL) PLC model to support Multilingual Learners. This session highlights how intentional PLC collaboration, structured routines, and evidence-based literacy strategies led to student growth and redesignation gains. Presenters will share districtwide practices that support sustained implementation. In this interactive session, participants will experience VITAL protocols and receive ready-to-use resources and practical tools to bring back to their sites.
What am I doing here?: Motivating, Engaging, and Supporting LTEL Students
Time: 9–10 a.m.
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 3 – Lower B2 Level
Presenter: Mary Schmida
Long-term English Learners (LTELs) represent a significant subgroup of multilingual students in the United States, especially in California. Having been in U.S. schools for more than 7 years, their prolonged experience in the educational system without mastery of English highlights systemic issues such as inconsistent instructional support and the need for high-quality curricula and instruction. This presentation focuses on who our LTEL students are and, more important, shares a model curriculum designed specifically for LTELs, illustrating the pedagogical features and topics necessary to motivate and engage them.
Meet WestEd Presenters During Conference Exhibit Hours
- Wednesday, March 4 – Exhibits are open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m and from 6–7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, March 5 – Exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 6 – Exhibits are open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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