What Are We Doing to Middle School English Learners? Findings and Recommendations for Change from a Study of California EL Programs (Research Report)
Within the next decade, one in every four students in U.S. classrooms will be an English learner (EL). Furthermore, secondary students make up the fastest growing sector of the EL population. In middle school (and above), students who are English learners run out of time quickly. What are schools doing during the crucial middle school years to promote English learners’ accelerated access to academic language and grade-level, standards-based instruction? How will these students catch up and be able to compete in high school, in college, and on the job market?
This study concludes that based on findings in California, where 30 percent of the nation’s English learner students are educated, middle school EL programs are failing students and limiting their futures in profound ways.
Through interviews and other data from 13 school districts with the highest concentration of English learners in the state, and from 64 middle schools in those districts, researchers in the Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) program at WestEd mapped the education landscape for middle school English learner programs. The researchers also conducted in-depth observations in a subset of schools, which contextualize the study findings and recommendations.
In addition to the Research Report, a narrative summary is also available.
What Are We Doing to Middle School English Learners?: Findings and Recommendations for Change from a Study of California EL Programs (Narrative Summary)
Within the next decade, one in every four students in U.S. classrooms will be an English learner (EL). Furthermore, secondary students make up the fastest growing sector of the EL population. In middle school (and above), students who are English learners run out of time quickly. What are schools doing during the crucial middle school years to promote English learners’ accelerated access to academic language and grade-level, standards-based instruction? How will these students catch up and be able to compete in high school, in college, and on the job market?
This overview of a recent study by Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) researchers at WestEd concludes that based on findings in California, where 30 percent of the nation’s English learners are educated, middle school EL programs are failing students and limiting their futures in profound ways.
The Narrative Summary provides an overview of study data from 13 school districts with the highest concentration of English learner students in the state, and 64 middle schools in those districts. Excerpts from case study observations in a subset of schools contextualize the highlighted recommendations for change.
In addition to the Narrative Summary, the full research report is also available.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care Module I: Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization
WestEd’s Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) has produced a series of award-winning videos and supporting materials. The products include video magazines (in DVD format), curriculum guides, trainer’s manuals, and related materials—all providing easy-to-follow techniques to ensure emotionally secure and intellectually engaging group child care. Videos are available in English, Cantonese, and Spanish. The PITC series is organized into four modules, each containing videos and print materials (see separate descriptions of each module).
Module I Print Materials:
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Social-Emotional Growth and Socialization
- Module I Trainer’s Manual
Module I Videos and Video Magazines:
- First Moves: Welcoming a Child to a New Caregiving Setting
- Flexible, Fearful, or Feisty: The Different Temperaments of Infants and Toddlers
- Getting in Tune: Creating Nurturing Relationships with Infants and Toddlers
Supplementary Materials for Module I:
- Addendum to Trainer’s Manual Module I
- Spanish-Language Handouts and Transparencies
For a complete list of PITC products for sale, including current prices, download the PITC order form. At the end of the form, you will find instructions on how to order materials through the California Department of Education.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care Module IV: Culture, Family, and Providers
WestEd’s Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) has produced a series of award-winning videos and supporting materials. The products include video magazines (in DVD format), curriculum guides, trainer’s manuals, and related materials—all providing easy-to-follow techniques to ensure emotionally secure and intellectually engaging group child care. Videos are available in English, Cantonese, and Spanish. The PITC series is organized into four modules, each containing videos and print materials (see separate descriptions of each module).
Module IV Print Materials:
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Creating Partnerships with Parents
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Culturally Sensitive Care
- Module IV Trainer’s Manual
Module IV Videos and Video Magazines:
- Essential Connections: Ten Keys to Culturally Sensitive Child Care
- Protective Urges: Working with the Feelings of Parents and Caregivers
- Talking Points for Essential Connections
- Talking Points for Protective Urges
Supplementary Materials for Module IV:
- Addendum to Trainer’s Manual IV
- Spanish-Language Handouts and Transparencies
For a complete list of PITC products for sale, including current prices, download the PITC order form. At the end of the form, you will find instructions on how to order materials through the California Department of Education.
Teacher Evaluation and Professional Learning: Lessons From Early Implementation in a Large Urban District
This study examines the alignment between teacher evaluation and teacher professional learning.
REL Northeast & Islands researchers examined the alignment between teacher evaluation and teachers’ subsequent professional learning in a large urban school district.
The researchers examined the types of professional learning activities teachers participated in, whether or not the reported activities aligned with what evaluators had prescribed, and whether teacher evaluation ratings improved from one year to the next.
Key Findings
- Teachers received written feedback on their instruction from evaluators across all standards of the evaluation rubric
- Teachers participated in more professional activities for the instruction-based standards than for the non-instruction-based standards
- For all standards, less than 40 percent of teachers participated in all the activities their evaluator recommended
- Each prescription provided by the evaluators to the teachers tended to include one or two recommended professional activities, and more of these activities were professional practice activities — such as independent work to improve instruction — versus professional development activities, such as courses or workshops
Read a summary of this report and view the infographic.
Data Literacy for Educators: Making It Count in Teacher Preparation and Practice
As teaching continues to evolve into an evidence-based profession, data literacy has become an essential skill for educators. Teachers, from the brand new to the seasoned professional, must understand how to use data to inform — and improve — their teaching practice.
This resource, cowritten by Ellen Mandinach, Senior Research Scientist and Director of the Data for Decisions Initiative at WestEd, provides educators with concrete strategies for building a bridge between data literacy and teaching practice.
Mandinach and coauthor Edith Gummer:
- Introduce the concept of data literacy for teaching and outline the knowledge and skills it encompasses
- Use examples and case studies that tie theory to practice
- Provide a roadmap for incorporating data literacy into teacher preparation program curricula
- Cover emerging trends, such as virtual and hybrid courses and massive open online courses
The authors also address the intrinsic complexities and possible challenges educators may face in their efforts to integrate data literacy into the classroom.
Math Pathways & Pitfalls: Fractions and Decimals with Algebra Readiness, Lessons and Teaching Manual, Grades 4-6
This volume of our Math Pathways & Pitfalls K–8 curriculum helps students tackle stubborn pitfalls head-on and transform them into pathways for learning key standards for grades 4–6, including fractions, decimals, and algebraic reasoning. In rigorous research studies, Math Pathways & Pitfalls significantly increased student achievement for diverse students, including for English language learners, in all grades tested.
Math Pathways & Pitfalls lessons and instructional strategies:
- Help students master key mathematical standards.
- Include concepts important for algebra readiness.
- Provide students with guided and independent practice.
- Support academic language development.
- Add value to any adopted curriculum.
- Prevent common pitfalls on homework and standardized assessments.
This all-in-one book contains everything a teacher needs to teach Math Pathways & Pitfalls with ease and success, including:
- 22 complete lessons
- Teaching manual
- Videos of Math Pathways & Pitfalls in action
- Black line masters of student handouts, classroom quizzes, answer keys, and resources
- Discussion Builders classroom poster
- Teacher professional development tasks, activities, and video footage
Math Pathways & Pitfalls: Place Value and Whole Number Operations with Algebra Readiness—Lessons and Teaching Manual, Grade 2-3
This volume of our Math Pathways & Pitfalls K–8 curriculum helps students tackle stubborn pitfalls head-on and transform them into pathways for learning key standards for grades 2–3. The lessons in this book address place value and whole number operations interwoven with algebraic reasoning. In rigorous research studies, Math Pathways & Pitfalls significantly increased student achievement for diverse students, including for English language learners, in all grades tested.
Math Pathways & Pitfalls lessons and instructional strategies:
- Help students master key mathematical standards.
- Include concepts important for algebra readiness.
- Provide students with guided and independent practice.
- Support academic language development.
- Add value to any adopted curriculum.
- Prevent common pitfalls on homework and standardized assessments.
This all-in-one book contains everything a teacher needs to teach Math Pathways & Pitfalls with ease and success, including:
- 21 complete lessons
- Teaching manual
- Videos of Math Pathways & Pitfalls in action
- Black line masters of student handouts, classroom quizzes, answer keys, and resources
- Discussion Builders classroom poster
- Teacher professional development tasks, activities, and video footage
Program for Infant/Toddler Care Module III: Learning and Development
WestEd’s Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) has produced a series of award-winning videos and supporting materials. The products include video magazines (in DVD format), curriculum guides, trainer’s manuals, and related materials—all providing easy-to-follow techniques to ensure emotionally secure and intellectually engaging group child care. Videos are available in English, Cantonese, and Spanish. The PITC series is organized into four modules, each containing videos and print materials (see separate descriptions of each module).
Module III Print Materials:
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Language Development and Communication
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Cognitive Development and Learning
- Module III Trainer’s Manual
Module III Videos and Video Magazines:
- The Ages of Infancy: Caring for Young, Mobile, and Older Infants
- Discoveries of Infancy: Cognitive Development and Learning
- Early Messages: Facilitating Language Development and Communication
Supplementary Materials for Module III:
- Addendum to Trainer’s Manual Module III
- Spanish-Language Handouts and Transparencies
For a complete list of PITC products for sale, including current prices, download the PITC order form. At the end of the form, you will find instructions on how to order materials through the California Department of Education.
Program for Infant/Toddler Care Module II: Group Care
WestEd’s Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) has produced a series of award-winning videos and supporting materials. The products include video magazines (in DVD format), curriculum guides, trainer’s manuals, and related materials—all providing easy-to-follow techniques to ensure emotionally secure and intellectually engaging group child care. Videos are available in English, Cantonese, and Spanish. The PITC series is organized into four modules, each containing videos and print materials (see separate descriptions of each module).
Module II Print Materials:
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Routines
- Infant/Toddler Caregiving: A Guide to Setting Up Environments
- Module II Trainer’s Manual
Module II Videos and Video Magazines:
- It’s Not Just Routine: Feeding, Diapering, and Napping Infants and Toddlers
- Respectfully Yours: Magda Gerber’s Approach to Professional Infant/Toddler Care
- Space to Grow: Creating a Child Care Environment for Infants and Toddlers
- Together in Care: Meeting the Intimacy Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Groups
Supplementary Materials for Module II:
- Addendum to Trainer’s Manual Module II
- Spanish-Language Handouts and Transparencies
For a complete list of PITC products for sale, including current prices, download the PITC order form. At the end of the form, you will find instructions on how to order materials through the California Department of Education.