Madison Reporter

MCPASD co-hosted the Wisconsin Multilingual Learner Summit in partnership with the CESA 2 Language and Culture Center. The event, held at the MCPASD High School campus, welcomed 80 educators from Wisconsin, including 40 faculty and administrators representing elementary, middle, and high school levels.

The summit aimed to deepen participants' understanding of the WIDA Language Development Standards to better meet the needs of multilingual learners. WIDA is an organization within the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education. They conduct research and create tools and resources for schools to support the language development of multilingual students.

"Thank you goes to CESA 2 for coordinating the event and planning its structure and content," said an organizer.

Participants could choose from several breakout sessions facilitated by educators from across Wisconsin on various topics related to implementing WIDA standards at district and classroom levels. MCPASD Director of Multilingual Services Mandi Sersch-Morstad led a session on how their district is approaching the implementation of WIDA English Language Development and Spanish Language Development standards. Director of Elementary Education MaryBeth Paulisse co-created this presentation.

Keynote speaker Dr. Ruslana Westerlund from CESA 2 presented on the role of WIDA English Language Development Standards in achieving equity for Wisconsin's multilingual students.

"Thank you to those who attended the summit. It is always exciting to learn and collaborate with our peers," concluded an attendee.