Assessment and Intervention for English Language Learners


Book Description

This book presents evidence-based practices for appropriate assessment of and school-based services for young English language learners. It identifies and addresses the challenges of assessing and intervening with these students at the curricular, instructional, environmental, and individual levels, particularly the complexities of determining the presence or absence of learning disabilities. Case studies and comparisons with fluent English speakers illustrate the screening and evaluation process – including multi-tier system of supports (MTSS) and response to intervention (RTI) – and proactive intervention planning in core literacy and math domains. Together, these chapters model effective teaching practice, advocacy, and teamwork with parents and colleagues as well as policy development toward meeting the needs of this diverse student population. This invaluable guide: Examines challenges of data collection when working with English language learners. Traces the development of dual-language fluency and competence. Discusses language-acquisition issues affecting oral language assessment. Reviews commonly used assessment and intervention tools in use with English learners. Features specialized chapters relating to reading, writing, and mathematics competencies. Can be used regardless of first language spoken by students. Assessment and Intervention for English Language Learners is an essential resource for researchers, professionals, and graduate students in diverse fields including school and clinical child psychology; assessment, testing, and evaluation; language education; special education; and educational psychology.




Formative Language Assessment for English Learners


Book Description

The significant challenges faced by English Language Learners (ELLs) become greater during the middle and high school years, when they must learn more abstract academic concepts with emergent English language skills and differing levels of background knowledge. To meet these challenges, ELLs need immediate feedback about how the development of their language abilities interacts with their academic performance; and teachers need practical strategies to help ELLs develop the specific content and language abilities necessary for success. In Formative Language Assessment for English Learners, the research team of Rita MacDonald, Timothy Boals, Mariana Castro, H. Gary Cook, Todd Lundberg, and Paula A. White demonstrates what good language assessment for formative purposes is, explains the cycle of formative language assessment, and shows how it unfolds stage by stage in a school setting. Based on a five-year collaborative project with middle and high school teachers in three major school districts, the book presents a process for: Weaving a language focus into content lessons Analyzing students' language from writing samples to help them broaden their linguistic choices Creating active partnerships with students as they learn and practice new ways to use English. When classrooms are defined by effective language assessment for formative purposes, they become dynamic spaces in which teachers can use that information to plan clear, attainable steps to increase student learning, and students develop deeper understandings of both academic content and academic language. Formative Language Assessment for English Learners provides practical strategies to implement a unique process for formative assessment that can truly change classroom practice. This team of authors works together at the Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and have collaborated on formative language assessment for English Language Learners through their work for WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment), a 36-state consortium that supports academic language development for linguistically diverse students through standards, assessment, research, and professional development.




Implementing Response-to-intervention to Address the Needs of English-language Learners


Book Description

Implementing Response-to-Intervention to Address the Needs of English-Language Learners increases school psychologists' knowledge of intervention strategies related to ELLs through its examination of the challenges associated with evaluating ELLs and by providing a collaborative framework to enhance educational identification and placement in special education.




Assessing Language and Literacy with Bilingual Students


Book Description

From expert authors, this book guides educators to conduct assessments that inform daily instruction and identify the assets that emergent bilinguals bring to the classroom. Effective practices are reviewed for screening, assessment, and progress monitoring in the areas of oral language, beginning reading skills, vocabulary and comprehension in the content areas, and writing. The book also addresses how to establish schoolwide systems of support that incorporate family and community engagement. Packed with practical ideas and vignettes, the book focuses on grades K–6, but also will be useful to middle and high school teachers. Appendices include reproducible forms that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.




Supporting English Language Learners


Book Description

Smart, passionate, practical, and filled with experience-honed thinking, Supporting English Language Learners is an ideal resource for all education professionals who are looking for the best ways to help nonnative learners.




Why Do English Learners Struggle With Reading?


Book Description

Make the right instructional and eligibility decisions to help your English Learners! Do your students' reading difficulties reflect language acquisition issues or a learning disability? Now in an updated second edition, this essential guide helps educators make informed choices about strategies and services to support English Learners, and includes: Nine common misconceptions that can lead to wrongful placement of students in Special Education A new chapter on evidence-based practices for success in teaching reading to students learning English Appropriate techniques to use when assessing students for special education Expanded coverage of Response to Intervention to include a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)




Educating English Language Learners


Book Description

The book provides a review of scientific research on the learning outcomes of students with limited or no proficiency in English in U.S. schools. Research on students in kindergarten to grade 12 is reviewed. The primary chapters of the book focus on these students' acquisition of oral language skills in English, their development of literacy (reading & writing) skills in English, instructional issues in teaching literacy, and achievement in academic domains (i.e., mathematics, science, and reading). The reviews and analyses of the research are relatively technical with a focus on research quality, design characteristics, and statistical analyses. The book provides a set of summary tables that give details about each study, including full references, characteristics of the students in the research, assessment tools and procedures, and results. A concluding chapter summarizes the major issues discussed and makes recommendations about particular areas that need further research.




Literacy Assessment of Second Language Learners


Book Description

Theoretical and practical information about assessment in the bilingual and English-language-learner classrooms.




Promoting Academic Success with English Language Learners


Book Description

Educators and school psychologists throughout the country are working with growing numbers of English language learners (ELLs), but often feel unprepared to help these students excel. This highly informative book presents evidence-based strategies for promoting proficiency in academic English and improving outcomes in a response-to-intervention (RTI) framework. Illustrated with a detailed case example, the book describes best practices for working with K-5 ELLs in all stages of RTI: universal screening, progress monitoring, data collection, decision making, and intensifying instruction. In a large-size format with lay-flat binding for easy photocopying, the book includes more than two dozen reproducible worksheets. Purchasers get access to a Web page where they can download and print the reproducible materials. This book is in The Guilford Practical Intervention in the Schools Series, edited by T. Chris Riley-Tillman.




Powerful Practices for Supporting English Learners


Book Description

Highlight the assets of English Learners in your classroom Students do better in school when their voices are heard. For English Learners, that means not only supporting their growing language proficiency, but also empowering them to share their linguistic and cultural identities. This practical guide, grounded in compelling research and organized around essential questions and answers, is designed to help all educators build on their current competencies to authentically harmonize home languages and cultures in the classroom. Inside you’ll find • The emotional, social, linguistic, cognitive, and academic rationale for incorporating cultural and linguistic assets • Creatively illustrated powerful practices with concrete examples of successful implementation • Myth-busting reflections to spark critical thinking about diversity, inclusive education, and family engagement • Curriculum connections tied to American and Canadian standards By recognizing and validating every student’s linguistic and cultural assets, you create a supportive environment for academic success.