Mission

Through a balanced program of research, professional development, and public education, SHABE pursues the implementation of educational policies and effective bilingual-bicultural programs that promote equal educational opportunity and academic excellence for Bilingual/ESL students.

SHABE firmly believes that enrichment forms of bilingual education ensure that Bilingual/ESL students are successful academically and develop age-appropriate English proficiency.

SHABE is committed to the following guiding principles:
•    To serve as a professional association for persons interested in bilingual education
•    To exchange educational practices and information with area school districts
•    To provide regular research-based professional staff development to area bilingual and ESL teachers
•    To support area Bilingual and ESL teachers to implement state mandated curriculum
•    To encourage and support area school districts to provide all students with a program of instruction and cultural development that enhances the student’s sense of identity and fosters a positive self-concept
•    To recognize deserving  teachers and honor them with the title of SHABE Teacher of the Year
•    To support deserving  high school graduates and bilingual/ESL paraprofessionals in their pursuit of higher education
•    To encourage and support area school districts to develop, through academic instruction, the native language and cognitive skills of non-English background students, and that all students become proficient in English
•    To ensure that language minority parents are involved in the educational development of their children and included in decision-making processes affecting their children’s education
•    To collaborate with institutions of higher education to give input and feedback on the implementation of quality teacher preparation programs