ELLAS Consulting

Meet the founders

LINDA CAVAZOS, PH.D.

Dr. Linda Cavazos is a professional development/technical assistance provider and researcher with 30 years’ experience in education supporting the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners. She has provided capacity building and technical assistance support and coaching at the national, state, regional, and local levels through delivery of high-quality professional development, evaluation, data analysis, and creation of tools and resources. Dr. Cavazos earned her doctorate in Multicultural Special Education from The University of Texas at Austin.

ALBA ORTIZ, PH.D.

Dr. Alba A. Ortiz is a Professor Emerita, Department of Special Education, in the College of Education, at The University of Texas at Austin. A nationally recognized expert on the education of English Learners with language and learning disabilities, Dr. Ortiz’s areas of expertise include culturally and linguistically responsive Multi-tiered System of Support and Response to Intervention, second language acquisition, language assessment, and programs and services for ELs with language/learning disabilities. Dr. Ortiz is the 2021 recipient of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Romaine Mackie Leadership Award recognizing her contributions to improving the education of English Learners, including those with disabilities.

Customized Educational Consulting

We customize consulting services to support English learners. We match our services to fit your context and specific needs. Our experts can assist you in monitoring and reviewing your program implementation. They can help solve or avoid potential problems. They can participate in communities of practice and provide on-demand advising.

Professional Development & Capacity Building

We provide professional development so educators have the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of English Learners. We also provide intensive professional development to build capacity of local school and district personnel who can then train and support school and district staff to enhance services for English Learners, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities.

Program Evaluation and Development and Equity Audits

We conduct systematic reviews of programs and services provided English Learners and the outcomes of these. Evaluations focus on the status of current programs and services, their effectiveness, and barriers and facilitators to achieving stated local, state, and national education agency goals and objectives.