English Language Learners
With 5.1 million English learners currently in U.S. schools, districts need to effectively implement programs that address students' needs to learn both English and academic content. WestEd and SchoolsMovingUp have services and resources to help schools and districts meet the challenge of raising English learners' academic achievement. The resources below are provided to help you find the latest research, learn from others' efforts, and build your knowledge base in this important area. Please take a look at our "Other Resources" section, which features archived webinars on issues affecting the education of English learners.
In last month's SchoolsMovingUp/date, we began highlighting what WestEd staff are reading to inform their work. This month, Zoe Ann Brown, a member of WestEd's English learner support team, shares a few materials she believes are important to the field of educating English learners.
Top Reading Picks by WestEd Staff
 More Reading Room
Zoe Ann Brown, Senior Program Associate in the Comprehensive School Assistance Program, has these on her reading list:
Reparable Harm: Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunity for California's Long Term English Learners: "The report is one of the first in the country to discuss long-term English learners in depth. This is a must read for elementary and secondary educators who work with English learners as well as for district and state education staff and policy makers."
Closing Achievement Gaps: Improving Educational Outcomes for Hispanic Children: "It addresses issues in English language acquisition (e.g., assessment, instruction, and teacher preparation) and how middle schools prepare Hispanic youth for high school and college (e.g., learning environments, student engagement, reading motivation, support, and college awareness). Key recommendations for policy at the federal level include clearly defining Limited English Proficient (LEP) and Fully English Proficient (FEP), improving instructional practices and assessments, and teacher education."
(The links above will take you to our SchoolsMovingUp Reading Room, where you will find an abstract of each article and be able to download it).
Improving Education for English Learners: Research-Based Approaches: "This book is a real gem put out by the California Department of Education. It can help teachers meet the instructional needs of English learners as well as assist school districts in implementing effective programs. It brings us the latest knowledge from research as well as best effective practices. I highly recommend this book to professional learning communities; it is a wonderful source of information for professional development to help improve the instruction for and achievement of English learners." (Go directly to the publisher's website for this resource.)
Learn more about WestEd's various services for improving the achievement of English language learners.
OTHER RESOURCES
Archived Webinars
Recommendations for Addressing the Needs of English Language Learners: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Learn about how to utilize ARRA funds to serve the English learners in your state or district.
Signal Hill Elementary School: A Road to Results
In this archived SchoolsMovingUp webinar, learn how an elementary school with a high poverty, high English learner student population can consistently demonstrate high levels of achievement.
Closing the Learning Gap: Steps That Work
In this archived SchoolsMovingUp webinar, find out about a Los Angeles County middle school's "no excuses" philosophy and concrete steps that have improved student achievement for all, including English learners.
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