English Language Learning

This policy brief analyzes evidence relating to the implementation and effects of the supplemental education services (SES) provision of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The SES provision requires school districts to pay the cost of third-party, after-school tutoring services for eligible students. The data and analyses presented here highlight limitations in the current law and implementation of SES: low participation rates; limited services available for English language learners and special education students; and, state and district capacity to implement the law and monitor program quality.

This publication by the California Department of Education provides guidance on the Desired Results system, which assesses the progress of California's preschool children with disabilities. According to the authors, the purpose of the manual is to provide guidance in assessing children from linguistically diverse backgrounds.

States and districts need to redesign literacy work for English language learners in high school by moving from remediation to academic acceleration and enrichment.

So says a research brief from the National High School Center written by Nanette Koelsch entitled Improving Literacy Outcomes for English Language Learners in High School: Considerations for States and Districts in Developing a Coherent Policy Framework.

Scholastic, Inc., in collaboration with the National Council of La Raza and the Verizon Foundation, recently launched Leeyseras.net, a companion Web site for Lee y Seras. The site, designed for the millions of Latino parents who are part of the nation's largest minority population and whose children face a growing educational achievement gap, provides free access to the Lee y Seras curriculum, along with downloadable and printable materials to help build literacy skills. Educators, community leaders, and researchers are featured on the Web site's podcasts and videocasts, and the site also helps build an online community with visitors posting questions and ideas via the Lee y Seras blog. Visit the site at http://www.leeyseras.net/.