Teacher Professional Development to Improve Science and Literacy Achievement of English Language Learners

2013 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okhee Lee ◽  
Cory A. Buxton
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Literacy Achievement ◽  
Teacher Professional

Teacher Change in Elementary Science Instruction with English Language Learners: Results of a Multiyear Professional Development Intervention across Multiple Grades

2012 ◽  
Vol 114 (8) ◽  
pp. 1-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Okhee Lee ◽  
Jaime Maerten-Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Teacher Professional Development ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
English Language ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Development Intervention ◽  
Accountability Policy ◽  
Teacher Professional

Background Current classroom practices have largely been shaped by changing student demographics, including English language learners (ELLs), and evolving accountability policies. The teacher professional development intervention in this study takes place against this backdrop. Research Questions This study examined change in teachers’ knowledge and practices while they participated in a 5-year teacher professional development intervention designed to improve science instruction while supporting literacy development of ELLs in the context of accountability policy in science. The study also examined whether teacher change was associated with predictor variables. Setting and Participants The study involved all science teachers (a total of 198 teachers) in Grades 3–5 from six urban elementary schools in a large school district. Over the 5-year period of the study, each teacher could participate in the intervention for 3 years, although there were high rates of teacher mobility. Intervention A series of curriculum units was developed that constituted the entire science curriculum for Grades 3–5 and replaced the district-adopted curriculum in the six participating schools. Over their 3-year participation in the intervention, teachers could attend a total of 14 full-day workshops during the summers and throughout the school years. Research Design The study used a longitudinal design over the 5-year intervention with a treatment group consisting of six elementary schools. Data Collection and Analysis Both questionnaire and classroom observations were used to measure reform-oriented practices in science and English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)/bilingual education in the following areas: (a) teacher knowledge of science content, (b) teaching practices to promote scientific understanding, (c) teaching practices to promote scientific inquiry, and (d) teaching practices to support English language development. During the 3-year period of their participation, teachers completed the questionnaire prior to beginning the intervention and at the end of each school year and were observed once in the fall and once in the spring each year. A series of multilevel models was used to examine change in the questionnaire and observation scales. Conclusions The results from the questionnaire (what teachers reported) and classroom observations (what teachers were observed doing) indicated some improvements in teachers’ knowledge and practices in teaching science to ELLs over the intervention. Grade taught was the most pronounced predictor variable and distinguished the fifth grade, the grade at which science counted toward the state accountability policy. Despite improvements, teachers’ knowledge and practices generally did not meet the goal of reform-oriented practices.

Moving from Professional Development to Real-Time Use

2014 ◽  
pp. 2043-2067
Author(s):  
Meghan Morris Deyoe ◽  
Dianna L. Newman ◽  
Kristie Asaro-Saddler
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
At Risk ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cognitive Learning ◽  
Pedagogical Content ◽  
Use Of Technology

This chapter demonstrates the importance of teacher training in the use of technology in literacy instruction by focusing on the need to update current teachers' skills and practice. In the setting described, the emphasis was on the transfer of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) strategies, learned via in-service professional development, to program classrooms supplied with twenty-first century technology in a high needs setting for at-risk students in grades 3-9. In addition to the general at-risk setting, specific literacy-related affective and cognitive learning outcomes are noted for students with disabilities and for English language learners. Program findings indicate the benefits of continuous professional development and embedded training along with embedded implementation of technology within pedagogical and content literacy instruction. Positive literacy-related cognitive results are noted for all students enrolled in the program classrooms; data for students with disabilities and English Language Learners (ELLs) also reveals potential benefits.

Differentiation 2.0

2016 ◽  
pp. 798-816
Author(s):  
Jennifer G. Beasley ◽  
Marcia B. Imbeau
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Lesson Planning ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Differentiating Instruction ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Access To Technology

This case study highlights the essential components of differentiating instruction to meet the needs of all students, including those most advanced, and English Language Learners by using a variety of technologies. Many teachers in the study had access to technology, but few received limited professional development. Roadblocks that many teachers encountered are identified with possible solutions for addressing those concerns. The recommendations provided for addressing concerns that classroom teachers face are (1) how to differentiate instruction for all learners, (2) how to learn and sustain growth in using the tools of technology in lesson planning and implementation, and (3) how to manage all of the various components so that chaos does not ensue and every students' learning is maximized. A review of all of these issues can be beneficial to other teachers in heterogeneous classrooms who want to use technology as tool for differentiating instruction.

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