Event Archives

Policy Challenges Conference: Bridging Research and Practice
Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades

Dr. Robin Scarcella speaks with Connecticut educators about teaching English literacy to ELL students. Click on the image to view Scarcella’s keynote presentation.

February 23, 2009

The Simsbury Inn

Simsbury, Connecticut

VIDEO FILES BELOW

Although English language learners (ELLs) are one of the fastest growing groups of students in the United States, both policymakers and education leaders believe this cohort is lagging behind other students in academic success. This conference co-hosted by the Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands and the New England Comprehensive Center highlighted the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) Practice Guide, “Effective Literacy and English Language Instruction for English Learners in the Elementary Grades,” to provide policymakers and practitioners with guidance on how to more effectively educate these students. Dr. Robin Scarcella, one of the primary authors, presented the Practice Guide and talked about the research behind its recommendations to participants from the Connecticut State Department of Education and to teams of ELL practitioners from Connecticut school districts. Participants departed with a strong understanding of the latest research as well as concrete strategies and resources to advance learning opportunities and shape action on behalf of English language learners.

View the IES Practice Guide series.

View the slides from Dr. Scarcella’s presentation (PDF).

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Video from the conference is available for viewing. Users may stream speakers below. For more information on this event, e-mail relneiinfo@edc.org.

Welcome and Introductions

Jill Weber, Co-Host

Director, Regional Educational Laboratory Northeast and Islands (REL-NEI)

View (6:38)

Welcome and Introductions

Maria-Paz Avery, Co-Host

New England Comprehensive Center; State Liaison, REL-NEI

View (6:46)

Opening Remarks

George Coleman

Deputy Commissioner of Education, State of Connecticut

View (8:45)

Introduction to the IES Practice Guide Series

Mark Dynarski

Vice President, Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.

View (14:38)

IES Practice Guide: Review of the English Language Learners Practice Guide

Dr. Robin Scarcella

Director of Academic English and ESL, University of California Irvine

View (47:33)

 

• View Introduction (6:05)
• View Recommendation 1: Screen and Monitor Progress (8:37)
• View Recommendation 2: Provide Reading Interventions (4:43)
• View Recommendation 3: Teach Vocabulary (11:07)
• View Recommendation 4: Develop Academic English (7:26)
• View Recommendation 5: Schedule Peer Learning (7:23)
• View Summary (2:12)

Questions & Answers with Dr. Scarcella

View (33:22)

 

• View Question 1: Sheltered English Instruction (5:07)
• View Question 2: Providing Reading Interventions/Valid Assessments for ELLs (4:55)
• View Question 3: Formative Assessments (5:44)
• View Question 4: Academic English (3:24)
• View Question 5: Building Capacity Within a Particular Building (2:50)
• View Question 6: Bringing Districts Together to Find Solutions (3:53)
• View Question 7: Implementing the Recommendations/U.S.-born ELLs (4:27)
• View Question 8: Research References/Doing What Works Website (3:06)