Rural "Low-EL" Districts: What Can Support Equitable Access to Technology When Instructing English Learner Students?

• In Event: Understudied Rural Populations

Abstract

Findings from a national study of technology use in instructing English learner (EL) students show differences in use of educational technology for districts with small numbers of ELs (low-EL districts) versus districts with large EL populations (high-EL districts). This paper discusses the differences in access to and use of “digital learning resources” for low-EL districts versus high-EL districts; implications of these findings for rural districts with ELs, many of which have low-EL enrollments; and guiding principles for selecting and using digital learning resources for instructing ELs. The findings confirm that the district EL-enrollment context is an important factor in examining DLR use in instructing EL students, and suggest a focus on low-EL and rural district contexts.

Author

• Annette M. Zehler, Education and Language Research Group, LLC