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
See our presentations below and stop by the WestEd exhibit booth to learn more.
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WestEd Sessions
Partnering for Multilingual Learner Excellence: Alisal Union and WestEd’s VITAL PLC Journey
Presenter: Erica Silva
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
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.
Mathematical Conversations That Engage All Students and Enhance Their Learning
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.
System-Level Conditions for Implementing and Sustaining Quality DLI Programs
Presenter: Gabriela Uro
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.