Limited academic language in both languages
Alba discusses how having limited academic language skills in the primary language can look like a disability.
Just a kid from the south side of San Antonio
Alba talks about how and when she used Spanish and English at home and school while growing up in San Antonio.
Identifying student strengths
Alba discusses the importance of identifying student strengths as a step in addressing other needs.
How culture may impact behavior in the classroom
Alba discusses the ways that culture may impact behavior in a way that looks like a disability.
Dr. Alba Ortiz: Having enough data to look at progress over time
Dr. Alba Ortiz talks about the importance of having data that allows teams to examine student progress in different areas over time. You can see her complete video in our Meet the Experts section.
Gathering information for students who don’t have school records
Alba offers some ideas for gathering information about students who may not have prior school records.
Evaluating factors such as culture, language, and student background
Alba discusses the importance of evaluating other factors that might be affecting student success, including culture and language.
Eliminating other factors before we make a referral
Dr. Alba Ortiz talks about some of the other factors that are important to review and eliminate before beginning a special education referral.
Communicating effectively with parents about student needs and services
Alba talks about the importance of accurate translations and clear explanations for ELL parents.
Big trends in the field: RTI and ESL training
Alba talks about two important trends she has seen recently, the use of RTI and increased certification in ESL.