2 — English Learners and Academic Achievement

2011 ◽  
Vol 93 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Gary Cook ◽  
Timothy Boals ◽  
Todd Lundberg

Author(s):  
Patsy J. Robles-Goodwin

The rising numbers of English Learners (ELs) in our schools requires educators to have a specialized knowledge base for understanding their linguistic needs, especially when planning for instruction; teachers also need to use language acquisition principles for working with ELs and integrate effective instructional strategies in their teaching. Studies have found factors affecting student success in public schools: 1) inadequate preparation of teachers, 2) ineffective teaching practices, and 3) at-risk school environments. These complex factors impact the instruction and ultimate success of student learning which is extremely detrimental to ELs. Therefore, the focus of the chapter addresses: the changing demographics, historical reasons for low achievement of ELs, and how educators can use their understanding of best practices to motivate ELs and increase their academic achievement. This chapter provides effective teaching practices for ELs and instructional activities that teachers can implement to help young ELs succeed academically.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 198
Author(s):  
Suzi Keller Miley ◽  
Aarek Farmer

As a result of the accountability requirements established in Title III of the Elementary and Secondary Educational Act (ESEA) legislation, English Learners (ELs) are expected to make progress in both content area academic achievement and English Language Proficiency (ELP). In Tennessee ELs progress is measured by administering WIDA-Access to assess English language proficiency, and Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) standardized assessments to measure content academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the performance levels of ELs who achieved the exit criteria on WIDA-Access state mandated English proficiency assessment and their subsequent performance on English Language Arts and Math TCAP assessments. Specifically, a comparison of EL’s achievement on TCAP was compared to the achievement on TCAP of non-ELs. Independent samples t-tests were performed on data from 302 elementary and middle school ELs and non-ELs that participated in WIDA-Access and TCAP assessments in 2015. Data analyses concluded that English Language Arts and Math TCAP scale scores were significantly different between ELs and non-ELs. Achievement levels in both English Language Arts TCAP and Math TCAP for ELs, who achieved the exit criteria on WIDA-Access, were lower than the achievement levels of non-ELs. Discussions of the findings in this study along with implications of using these assessments to measure ELs growth is provided in relation to the increased demands on measuring both the academic achievement and English language progress for ELs.


2020 ◽  
pp. 073194872092900
Author(s):  
Amanda Helman ◽  
Minyi Shih Dennis ◽  
Lee Kern

English learners (ELs) with reading disabilities (RDs) have been among the lowest performers on academic achievement tests that assess vocabulary. To meet academic demands and prepare for college or careers, ELs with RDs clearly need support in terms of vocabulary acquisition; however, relevant research is scarce. This study investigated the effects of the CLUES strategy, a generative vocabulary strategy, on the ability of students to analyze and define unknown science terms relating to biology. The study further evaluated students’ ability to maintain vocabulary gains over time and to generalize the CLUES strategy. The results showed that participants benefited from the use of the CLUES approach to define novel science terms and maintain their ability to use this strategy over time. The participants themselves generally expressed satisfaction with the CLUES strategy and recommended it to their peers.


2022 ◽  
Vol 112 ◽  
pp. 101916
Author(s):  
Amado M. Padilla ◽  
Xinjie Chen ◽  
David Song ◽  
Elizabeth Swanson ◽  
Margaret Peterson

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Rios ◽  
Samuel Ihlenfeldt

This study sought to investigate how states communicate results for academic achievement and English language proficiency (ELP) assessments to parents who are English learners (EL). This objective was addressed by evaluating: (a) whether score reports and interpretive guides for state academic achievement and ELP assessments in each state were translated for EL parents; and (b) if so, whether recommended score reporting guidelines were followed in practice. Results demonstrated that for state achievement tests, 29 states had translated score reports and 28 had translated interpretive guides. Nearly every state translated these materials for their ELP assessments in a wide variety of languages. Across ELP and state achievement assessments, most states were found to limit statistical jargon, utilize figures/graphics to communicate test results, and include follow-up information for parents. However, states rarely provided personalization, statements on intended score use, a student’s score history, or a direct link to their interpretive guide in their score reports. Improvements in a number of areas were observed from prior reviews. Recommendations on making score reports and interpretive guides more accessible and interpretable for EL parents are discussed.


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