Comparing Middle-Grades Literacy Outcomes From English Language Learner and English Language Proficient Students in a Community School to a Matched Comparison

• In Event: Reconsidering Writing Assessment

Abstract

Living a productive life requires literacy proficiency. Inequitable learning opportunities along racial/ethnic & socioeconomic lines are leading contributors to literacy gaps between historically marginalized students and their more affluent peers. This study investigated the impact of a community school reform in an urban middle school focused on meeting the complex academic and non-academic needs of newcomer populations. A comparison between community school students and a propensity score-matched group found that community school students significantly outperformed the comparison in ELA academic outcomes. Results also show that community school wrap-around services helped reduce the literacy learning gap between ELLs and their non-ELL peers.

Authors

• Alia Adel Ammar, Mastery Charter Schools - Pickett Campus

• Toni A. May (Sondergeld), Drexel University

• Kathleen Provinzano, Drexel University

• Brian Delaney, Auburn University