scholarly journals Developments In Stem Educators’ Preparedness For English Language Learners In The United States

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-176
Author(s):  
Keith R Besterman ◽  
Jeremy Ernst ◽  
Thomas O. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Regional Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stem Disciplines ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
K 12

In the United States, the population of students classified as English Language Learners (ELLs) in K-12 education has increased in recent decades. As a result, teachers outside of specialized linguistic courses have needed to adapt their instruction to better meet the needs of these students. This exploratory study investigates potential indicators of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) teachers’ preparedness to work with ELLs, in comparison with the rates of ELLs in STEM courses.   Data for this study were obtained from the national restricted-access datasets of the 2007-2008 and 2011-2012 School and Staffing Survey (SASS) Teacher Questionnaire (TQ). STEM teachers’ participation in ELL-focused professional development activities, credentialing related to ELLs, and ELL populations in STEM teachers’ courses were analyzed to quantify changes in these measures over time and among the STEM disciplines. Regional analysis of STEM teacher populations and ELL populations in STEM classes was also conducted to examine how these factors differed across the United States.   Analyses of these data indicated increases in the percentage of STEM teachers who have ELLs in their service loads and in the average number of ELLs in teacher service loads; these trends were present in all U.S. regions and in all STEM disciplines. However, the total number of STEM teachers who participated in ELL-focused professional development activities increased only slightly over the four-year span. To effectively teach the growing ELL student population, STEM teachers must develop the skills and approaches necessary to educate and engage these students.

Working With Interpreters to Support Students Who Are English Language Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (16) ◽  
pp. 15-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henriette W. Langdon ◽  
Terry Irvine Saenz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Primary Language ◽  
Second Best ◽  
Support Students

The number of English Language Learners (ELL) is increasing in all regions of the United States. Although the majority (71%) speak Spanish as their first language, the other 29% may speak one of as many as 100 or more different languages. In spite of an increasing number of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who can provide bilingual services, the likelihood of a match between a given student's primary language and an SLP's is rather minimal. The second best option is to work with a trained language interpreter in the student's language. However, very frequently, this interpreter may be bilingual but not trained to do the job.

scholarly journals Mainstreamed English language instruction in a low-incidence rural school district : a case study

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Margaret René Watring Yoesel
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Teacher Perceptions ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Low Incidence

Classrooms in the United States are changing as the population of the United States becomes more diverse with growing numbers of English language learners (Banks, 2005; Capps, Fix, Murray, Ost, Passel and Herwantoro, 2005; Cartledge, Gardner, and Ford, 2009; DeVillar, Faltis, and Cummins, 1994; Diaz, 2001; Dilg, 2003; Hernandez, 2001; Ovando and McLaren, 2000; Sadowski, 2004; Sleeter and Grant, 1994). Immigrants and their families have traditionally settled in larger urban communities, but recent trends indicate a growing number of English language learners are enrolling in rural mid-west public schools. Many rural districts have very little experience or resources to meet the needs of this new diverse group of students. As a result teachers, especially in rural and low-incidence districts, are experiencing academic and cultural challenges of educating students whose first language is not English (Berube, 2000; Hill and Flynn, 2004). The purpose of this study was to examine elementary teacher perceptions regarding experience with instructing mainstreamed English language learners in a low-incidence district. This study also explores issues these teachers feel most influence their ability to successfully teach students from diverse cultures and who speak a first language other than English. Research examining teacher perceptions should provide important insight to teachers, administrators and policy makers regarding teacher needs and support in the education of English language learners.

scholarly journals Underrepresentation of English-Language Learners in Gifted Education and the Influence of Gifted Education Policy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Kettler ◽  
Yasmin Laird
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Gifted Education ◽  
English Language ◽  
Gifted Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Relative Difference ◽  
School Enrollment ◽  
Nationally Representative

English Language Learners (ELL) are the fastest growing population in United States public education and are likely underrepresented in gifted education. This study analyzed a nationally representative sample of the largest school districts (n=311) in the United States accounting for approximately 35% of the total public school enrollment of K12 education. Five pre-registered hypotheses were tested to explore the nature of ELL underrepresentation in gifted education. Eighty-six percent of the schools had ELL relative difference in composition index (RDCI) scores in the large underrepresentation category (< -60), and the pattern of underrepresentation was consistent in all four census regions of the U.S. Underrepresentation in schools with state policy mandates to identify gifted students was no different that ELL underrepresentation in non-mandated policy states. Variables of gifted program inclusiveness (r = .07) and prevalence of ELL student populations (r = .05) were not associated with variation in ELL underrepresentation.

Facilitating Linguistic and Academic Success for Newcomer English Language Learners

2019 ◽  
pp. 218-234
Author(s):  
Melinda Trice Cowart
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

The landscape of peoples in need has changed dramatically and appears to grow more complex. For today, leaders and citizens in the United States must decide how best to address the needs and aggregate issues related to the very large numbers of refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burma, Iraq, Bhutan, Somalia, Syria, and numerous other nations fleeing persecution owing to their political or religious beliefs. Complicating the challenges encountered by newcomer English language learners (ELLs) and their teachers is the wave of xenophobia that has once again had a global impact. Gleaning lessons learned from previous United States refugee resettlement programs about the societal adjustment and educational achievement experienced by refugees from Southeast Asia, from the Cuban Haitian program, from the resettlement of the Karen and Chin Burmese, and others will empower teachers to facilitate greater academic achievement among newcomer ELLs.

Latinos and Higher Education: A Literature Review

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick Jermain Flink
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Generation ◽  
The United States ◽  
Latino Population ◽  
Hispanic Serving

This article is an overview of the Latino population within the United States, and within higher education. Changes in demography have led to an increase in Latinos in higher education. First-generation Latinos face unique cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic challenges on campus. As a result, there has been an increase in English-language learners (ELLs), as well as an increase in the number of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) across the country.

Gifted English Language Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aranzazu M. Blackburn ◽  
Linley Cornish ◽  
Susen Smith
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Current Literature ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gifted Programs ◽  
Spanish Speaking

Current research on gifted English language learners (gifted ELLs) is broadly centered on identification issues and investigations of underrepresentation in gifted programs mainly in schools in the United States and referencing predominantly Spanish-speaking students. Australia presents itself as a multicultural nation, yet limited research exists as to what it knows about its particular gifted ELL populations and ways of supporting them when they enter Australian schools. A review of the current literature examines existing research in the United States and explores the findings from Australian studies. Some suggestions for future research in both local and global contexts are offered.

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