Module 2.2: The Power and the Promise of the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners

This page houses three resources. 

Resource: Presentation, “The Power and the Promise of the Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners.”

Download Editable Version: The Power and the Promise of the OPTEL (1).pptx Download Download Editable Version: The Power and the Promise of the OPTEL (1).pptx

This deck provides critical context for the “why” for the OPTEL. It makes explicit the US federal policy in which it is grounded, the purposes it serves in the context of reclassification, and its potential to meaningfully enhance teaching and learning and center parent/caregiver voice in the reclassification process.  

Objectives 
The objectives of the slide deck are for participants to:  

• Review the reclassification process and its significance for California's 1.1 million EL students.  

• Understand the policy mandate behind and the benefits of standardization in the reclassification process.  

• Understand how the OPTEL was developed, validated, and approved.  

• Envision leveraging the power and promise of the OPTEL for their local contexts. 

Purpose and Audience 

Although this slide deck provides background information about why the tool was developed, it is valuable for any educator seeking to make explicit the significance of the tool to colleagues, external partners, and other audiences. Trainers are strongly encouraged to review this resource regardless of their familiarity with the tool.  

 

Resource: California Department of Education Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners web page

The CDE has a web page devoted to the OPTEL located at  https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/optel.asp Links to an external site.. Trainers are encouraged to review all resources, which include: 

• The OPTEL User Guide. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/documents/opteluserguide.docx Links to an external site.). This guide supports educators using the OPTEL tool to observe and evaluate EL students’ English language proficiency. 

• OPTEL Frequently Asked Questions. (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/optelfaqs.asp Links to an external site.).  

• Sample Parent Script (https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/ml/optelscript.asp Links to an external site.). This provides an optional sample resource for using the OPTEL in parent consultation meetings to discuss student progress toward reclassification.  

• Webinar recordings and resources. In 2024, the CDE hosted two webinars that accompanied the rollout of the observation tool and the User Guide. Webinar recordings and related resources can be found on this page. 

 

Resource: Observation Protocol for Teachers of English Learners Validation Study

In 2023, the OPTEL tool was field tested in schools across California. This validation study report by WestEd documents how evidence from the field test supports using the OPTEL tool as designed. 

Downladable Version: OPTEL Validation Study Resource.docx Download Downladable Version: OPTEL Validation Study Resource.docx