English Learners With Disabilities and Opportunity to Learn

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

Historically, empirical research has explored the long-standing issue of English learners (ELs) referral to and over- and underrepresentation in special education; however, an emergent line of research has begun to examine opportunity to learn of ELs with disabilities after their special education placement. Drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives in applied linguistics, special education, critical race studies, and legal studies, the qualitative studies in this symposium examine how opportunity to learn is structured for and negotiated by ELs with disabilities and their families. The symposium will also offer pathways forward to expand opportunity to learn both academically and linguistically for ELs with disabilities.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Second Language Research

Chair

• Sara E.N. Kangas, Lehigh University

Papers

• Opportunity to Learn and Opportunity to Teach: Co-Teaching in Bilingual Special Education - Jennifer Phuong, University of Pennsylvania

• "Better Opportunity, Better Life": Constructing Community Cultural Wealth for Parents of English Learners With Disabilities - Chelsea Stinson, Syracuse University

• We Value What We Experience: Translanguaging to Increase Learning Opportunities for Emergent Bilinguals With Dis/abilities - María Cioè-Peña, Penn GSE; Rebecca E. Linares, University of Colorado - Boulder

• Holding Them Back or Pushing Them Out? Reclassification Policy for English Learners With Disabilities - Jamie L. Schissel, University of North Carolina - Greensboro; Sara E.N. Kangas, Lehigh University

Discussant

• Julie Esparza Brown, Portland State University