August 5, 2016

TO:  Division Superintendents

FROM:  Steven R. Staples, Superintendent of Public Instruction

SUBJECT: Expediting Comprehension for English Language Learners (ExC-ELL) 101 Institute

As part of the Virginia Department of Education’s ongoing effort to ensure compliance with Section 3111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, an ExC-ELL 101 Institute for educators of English learners will be offered.  This three-day professional development training will be presented by Dr. Margarita Calderón & Associates at the following site on the dates specified below:

As part of the Virginia Department of Education’s ongoing effort to ensure compliance with Section 3111(b)(2) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, an ExC-ELL 101 Institute for educators of English learners will be offered.  This three-day professional development training will be presented by Dr. Margarita Calderón & Associates at the following site on the dates specified below:

Date and Time	Institute Location and Lodging Information
ExC-ELL 101 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday October 5-7, 2016 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.*	Newport News Marriott at City Center 740 Town Center Drive Newport News, Virginia 23606 757-873-9299
ExC-ELL 101 Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday October 10-12, 2016 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.*	Sheraton Roanoke Hotel and Conference Center 2801 Hershberger Road Roanoke, Virginia 24017 540-563-9300

*Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

The ExC-ELL 101 Institute is intended for kindergarten through grade 12 educators of English learners.  The three-day training will present, model, and engage participants in research-based instructional strategies for integrating academic language, reading comprehension, and writing strategies into the content areas to assist ELLs in mastering academic content. 

Registration and Lodging:  The Office of Continuing and Professional Education at Virginia Tech will manage online registration and lodging. A limited block of hotel rooms for participants outside of a fifty-mile radius of the training location will be provided.  Lodging reservations will be made during the online registration process.  Please register and reserve your lodging room, if needed, online at http://www.cpe.vt.edu/reg/excell/. Your room will be charged to the Department’s master account.  The deadline for registration and lodging is Thursday, September 1, 2016.

Authorized Expenses:  Evening meals, parking, and travel costs are the responsibility of attendees; however, these expenses are authorized activities and may be charged to local Title I, Part A; Title I, Part C; Title II, Part A; or Title III, Part A, budgets.  Materials, breakfast, and lunch will be provided.  
Cancellation: If participants need to cancel their hotel reservations, please contact Christy Wallace, the Virginia Tech registrar, no later than September 26, 2016, at wallacec@vt.edu or (540) 231-6735. Failure to advise the registrar in advance may result in lodging charges to the attendee.

For questions, please contact Judy Radford, ESL professional development coordinator, at Judy.Radford@doe.virginia.gov or 804-786-1692.

SRS/jr