My topic was how to get ELL students to be able to reclassify so they can be more successful. Over the last 6 years as an academic specialist I really had to focus on the data and testing of our EL students. There were a lot of problems at my site when I got there. Most teachers were not even teaching ELD. Then they were forced to but it was the first thing to get canceled if anything came up. It was abundantly clear that it was not valued and teachers needed more information about English language learners and the value of ELD and how to do it. This was all reflected in our dwinding scores. Our demographics also changed during this time, we went form 65% free and reduced lunch to 91% today. We have stayed steady at 65% English learners. Our school was not able to keep us with the change in clientele, principals, and even the school building. There were many challenges as with any school. I think one of the biggest is that over the course of the last 15 years our school was a middle class white school to a high needs poverty school without training or resources that other well established needy schools had. Our current principal and some others, myself included, set out to change the culture, it was very very difficult and we are moving in a positive direction but we are certainly not there yet. Therefore, our EL students have not been as successful. I was interested in the long term effects of our students being stuck at the mid range level of English. Kindergarteners come in and quickly learn the basics but once they get to the reading and writing and complex language, they are stumped. My research was specifically designed to increase academic oral language as just one piece to be successful on the ELPAC which is based off of ELD standards. My next steps would be to develop lessons designed to teach students to be successful on each section of the ELPAC, which is really just the ELD standards. I was methodical on how to do just the academic language portion but there are many more. I do not want to teach them to pass a test, I want them to be able to discuss academic topics in a coherent way which is what the ELPAC tests. So, really a win win for the kids in school and hopefully life.
1 Comment
Lynda Tuttle Bergner
3/8/2021 05:59:47 pm
It is really hard to maintain school culture when it seems as though there is a revolving door of administrators, teachers and staff. I'm glad that Snow has a group of dedicated people to help it move forward in a positive, loving and accepting way.
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About the AuthorI teach 3rd grade in Napa Unified. Archives
December 2020
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