Action Plans to Enhance School and Community Partnerships for English Language Learners: Addressing Issues of Social Justice

• In Event: Roundtable Session 30
  In Roundtable Session: Empowerment and Community Activism for Social Justice

Abstract

Throughout the U.S, school systems at all levels are struggling with how to best meet the social and academic needs of English language learners (ELLs). Arizona currently requires all teachers to complete two courses to complete a Structured English Immersion (SEI) endorsement. An assignment added to the SEI curriculum was designed to address school and community partnerships within ELL communities. Research questions regarding the value, implementation and effects of this assignment drove a year-long examination using a cultural-historical activity theoretical approach. Preliminary results indicate that many of the topics of the Action Plans relate to social justice issues within ELL communities, although this was not a requirement. Challenges to implementation and strategies for addressing these challenges are addressed.

Authors

• Andrea Marie Tovar, Arizona State University

• Margarita Jimenez-Silva, Arizona State University