Collaborative Identification of Emerging Bilingual Students for Special Education Secondary Focus Spring 2026 5.09A, 5.09B, 5.10A, 5.10B, 5.11B, 5.12A, 5.12B (SPED/BH 10)

Course Description

• This course will guide participants through the DCSD special education pre-referral and referral process for multilingual learners in order to ensure appropriate identification and programming. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions that honor the expertise that specialists and families bring to the table.  Ways to engage families and remove barriers will be discussed throughout the course.  
• Credit(s) and Type: 11 Hours Relicensure | English Language Development (ELD)
• Facilitators: Natalie Reeser | Cindy Stephenson | Ellen Kerkhoff | Sean Mahan | Janette Szabo

Target Audience

• Secondary ELD Teachers, SPED Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, Gen Ed teachers, Admin, School Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselors, and Professional Learning Specialists
• Open to Charter School Staff = Yes
  • Charter Certified

Timeline Overview

• Beginning of course: February 17, 2026
• End of Course: March 24, 2026
• Required Virtual Meetings
  • March 5, 2026, 4-5 PM
  • March 24, 2026, 4-5 PM

Outcomes

Here are the outcomes for the course (what participants will walk away with from the course).

• Outcome 1: Participants will be able to explain the pre-referral process for special education and the steps necessary for emerging bilingual students.  
• Outcome 2: Participants will be able to identify the collaborative structures necessary for appropriate referrals for special education.  
• Outcome 3: Participants will be able to locate and utilize resources available for teams to analyze student behaviors and challenges within linguistic and cultural contexts.