HAYWARD -- State Deputy Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Anthony Monreal,who was recently appointed to the post, spent an afternoon observing research-based practices and professional development programs that the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) has developed for English Language Learners.

Alameda County Superintendent of Schools Sheila Jordan said Deputy Superintendent Monreal expressed interest in ACOE’s programs that focus on English Language Acquisition and wanted to meet with ACOE staffers to discuss their work.

“We were very excited to have the chance to spend some time with Deputy Superintendent Monreal,” Jordan said. “This was a great opportunity for our program coordinators and directors to discuss their projects and work.”

Superintendent Jordan and Monreal were both appointed to the California Arts Education Strategic Task Force by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. It was during their time on the task force together, Jordan said, that Monreal expressed interest in the progress that is being made at ACOE to raise the achievement bar for English Language Learners.

Monreal, 47, was appointed to the post by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell on May 14. As Deputy Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Monreal oversees seven divisions at the California Department of Education, including School Reform Improvement; Special Education;and Curriculum and Instructional Resources.

Monreal began his afternoon by visiting the school community garden program at Longwood Elementary School in Hayward.