This report presents findings from a rigorous study of the Quality Teaching for English Learners (QTEL) professional development program at WestEd.

The goal of this study was to determine whether QTEL is effective in improving academic outcomes for English language learners in U.S. middle schools. The results intend to inform policy decisions on professional development for teachers of English language learner students.

The study exemplifies the challenges of examining the effectiveness of a non-scripted professional development implementation tailored to participant needs under specific conditions of high student and teacher mobility within and across schools.

Researchers measured secondary impacts on teacher knowledge, attitudes, and practice. The sample included middle schools in urban and suburban areas of three Southern California counties, the English language arts and English language development teachers in these schools, and their students.

The study was conducted for the 2007/08, 2008/09, and 2009/10 school years.

Additional information from REL West is available at https://relwest.wested.org.

Information about the REL system and other REL publications can be found at the national Regional Educational Laboratory Program website.