As 2010 begins, NJTESOL-NJBE continues its mission of advocacy and support for English language learners. At the federal level, the nation has seen some change with the No Child Left behind (NCLB) act returning to its roots as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). While many accountability points remain the same, this change had some impact on the revision of the Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for English language learners in New Jersey. The stakes for our students remain high, with the limited English proficient subgroup continuing to be required to meet AYP [ed.: Annual Yearly Progress}, but changes have been made regarding English Language Proficiency targets. The revised AMAOs state that, by 2013-2014, 80% of all students in grades 1-12 will be expected to make annual gains of 10 or more scale score points on the ACCESS for ELLs test. Also by 2013-2014, 95% of all students will attain English Language Proficiency and exit language assistance programs within four years. While these goals are still high, they no longer demand 100% proficiency and allow use of scale scores, rather than overly broad proficiency levels. More work is still to be done regarding fair and equitable assessments for ELLs, but this is a step forward.

       In order to ensure that our English language learners can receive the most engaging education possible while working to achieve these high standards, NJTESOL-NJBE continues to support New Jersey Department of Education initiatives in 21st Century Learning. Our upcoming Spring Conference, 21st Learning for English Language Learners, promises to be a bonanza of workshops related to cutting edge technologies that allow our students to fully participate in their own learning. The articles in this issue of VOICES detail the numerous workshops that will be available, targeting NJTESOL-NJBE’s various special interest groups. Of particular note for our Supervisors’ SIG, we have a full day of relevant workshops including “Job-embedded Professional Development for ALL Teachers”, the NJPSA English Language Learners Committee meeting, and a session presented by Rubén J. Vázquez, Education Program Specialist at the United States Department of Education focusing on “Using Title III Funds: a National Perspective.” Of interest to both teachers and supervisors will be New Jersey’s own Raquel Sinai, Lori Ramella, and Ericka Reed presenting on New Jersey initiatives in bilingual and ESL education, and a workshop by renowned author Rebecca Freeman-Field on “Leadership for Achievement: Assessment Systems for linguistically Diverse Schools”. Register for this conference soon and check our website regularly for the most recent updates to the conference schedule.

       We are also pleased to announce a very special event being held at the NJTESOL-NJBE Spring Conference. We invite you to “An Evening with Dr. Allan De Fina” at 5:30 p.m. on May 18, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset, N.J. This event is open to both members and nonmembers and the separate registration fee includes dinner. Dr. De Fina will address the group on De-Romanticizing Our Past Loves: Breaking Up with Literacy Practices for English Language Learners that Don’t Work. In this address, he will examine some of those activities that teachers “love” to do that don’t actually work. Practical, hands-on research-based strategies that are easy to implement in classrooms and that actually do work will be presented. Registration for the “Evening with Dr. Allan De Fina” event can be made online on the NJTESOL-NJBE website at www.njtesol-njbe.org.

       The new year brings many opportunities for all of us to embrace technology to improve ourselves, our teaching, and the opportunities for our students. Our conference parallels the New Jersey Department of Education’s technology initiatives and we on the NJTESOL-NJBE Executive Board are busily learning about the many technological marvels that can transform our teaching and our organization. Many of you have recently become fans of the NJTESOLNJBE Facebook page. If you have not already joined us on Facebook, please do so. We will also be launching a Twitter account to help our members be instantly aware of advocacy concerns and issues which impact the lives of English language learners. Several Executive Board members have started their own professional Facebook pages, Twitter feeds, and blogs: all tools for teaching following the futurist Alan November’s recommendations for transforming education and helping our students become 21st century learners. Check our website, join NJTESOL- NJBE’s email hotlist, become a fan of our Facebook page, and keep an eye out for the unveiling of our Twitter feed. Make 2010 the year that you join us at NJTESOL-NJBE, our department of education in New Jersey, and the nation in transforming how we use technology to engage ourselves and our students as 21st century learners. See you at the Spring Conference and see you in cyberspace!

       Janina J. Kusielewicz is the current president of NJTESOL-NJBE