Effects of Curriculum and Teacher Professional Development on the Language Proficiency of Elementary English Language Learners in the Central Region

• In Event: Roundtable Session 66
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Second Language Pedagogy

Abstract

The objective of this cluster-randomized trial was to estimate the impact of teacher professional development (Responsive Instruction for Success in English; RISE) coupled with teacher use of an English language development curriculum (On Our Way to English; OWE) on the acquisition of English language skills of elementary school native Spanish-speaking English Language Learners (ELLs) in listening comprehension, reading/vocabulary comprehension, and writing. Researchers also posed three exploratory questions related to perceived student engagement, teacher instructional practices, and teacher instructional responsiveness. This effectiveness study estimated the impact of RISE and OWE under conditions that would typically occur had schools implemented these interventions without involvement of research staff. The sample included 2,612 students nested within 52 schools.

Authors

• Sheila A. Arens, McREL

• Susan Shebby, McREL

• Louis F. Cicchinelli, McREL