I have been down the rabbit hole. Trying to get back though. It is really interesting to me to start reading actual research in the area you are attempting to study. Obviously, I am engaged and want to know more even if the articles are not exactly zeroed in on the specific focus that I am studying. However, still really valuable. I found one dissertaion that was super relevant but what was most important about it was that it really backed up the ideas from Mertler. It is one thing to read about research but quite another to read the actual research AND on the topic you are focused on. The dissertaion was 140 pages, obviously I didn't read the whole thing but it was titled Best Practices for the Development of English Learners in Rural Elementary Schools in Prevention of Long Term English Learners. It wasn't really that shocking in regards to information but what must be shocking is that these schools must have actively followed their plan. They indicated their plans that aren't too far off from what we do in Napa but these were schools that were highly successful on the SBAC with areas only in blue for ELs. It just reinforced for me that there are things we should do (and know to do) but we just don't. Which leads me to the question of why? Why aren't we following the guidelines for high functioning schools with Best Practices put in place for English Learners?
The study cited some researchers that are seminal in Long Term English Learner research, L. Olson, C. Goldberg, Coleman and the Freemans. I have heard of L. Olson before but through the Project GLAD lense so it was a bit of a different spin, but nonetheless, these people have extensive research on English Learners and Long Term English Learners. Of course, I then followed some of the links and studies and read some more. Right now, I am more interested in the overall picture of why are we not doing what we should be doing for ELs. For instance in this particular study, she did reference other studies but this one interviewed highy successful principals at highly successful schools with large EL populations in the Central Valley in CA. The Best Practices named were-
2 Comments
10/5/2020 09:45:49 pm
Hi Erica,
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Susan Craig
10/7/2020 01:54:36 pm
Hello Erica,
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About the AuthorI teach 3rd grade in Napa Unified. Archives
December 2020
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