Changes and Challenges in English Language Learner Education

1
Changes and Challenges in English Language
Learner Education

• Reading First Training
• Summer 2003
• Kathryn L. Riley
• Office of Language Acquisition and Academic
  Achievement
• Massachusetts Department of Education

2
Who are ELLs in Massachusetts?

• 51,546 LEP students reported October 2002. This
  data represent a 10 increase over October 2001.
• Forty-three percent, or 26,527 of those LEP
  students were in grades PK-3.
• Approximately 80 speak Spanish or Portuguese as
  a first language.
• Immigrant families are increasing settling in
  suburban and rural districts, so LEP numbers are
  increasing in those districts.
• Increasing number of older students entering
  school with little or no prior schooling and
  therefore little or no L1 literacy . These
  students are often referred to as Limited Formal
  Schooling (LFS) students.

3
Why is the education of ELLs such an important
topic at this time?

• Education reform in Mass competency
  determination
• NCLB
• Goal 1.3 - Grade 3 reading proficiency
• Goal 2 - English language proficiency and
  academic achievement for LEP students
• Accountability system
• New state law
• TBE required under old law (transitional
  bilingual education)
• SEI required under new law (sheltered English
  immersion)
• Result a significant challenge to all of us,
  and particularly those who teach reading

4
What are some fundamental considerations when
thinking about learning to read in a second
language?

• Different than learning to read in a language you
  already speak
• Research has shown a strong relationship between
  English oral language proficiency and English
  literacy. What are the instructional
  implications? No consensus on this question.
• Different reading backgrounds of ELLs. Some
  children come with no literacy. Some come with
  grade-level literacy in their first language.
• Questions???

5
What is MADOE doing to improve the development of
English language proficiency and academic
achievement of LEP students?

• A. ELP Benchmarks and Outcomes - (available at
  ELL homepage www.doe.mass.edu/ell )
• B. MELA-O statewide training
• C. English Proficiency Assessment (EPA) in
  reading and writing in development
• D. Emerging districts initiative - summer
• E. Initiative for larger districts beginning in
  fall

6
What can you do?

• A. Get the ELP Benchmarks and Outcomes, and
  participate in development of ELL curriculum in
  your district.
• B. Participate in MELA-O training.
• C. Participate in SIOP or other training offered
  in your district.