English Learners What the Research Says

Early Access to Advanced Courses Needed for English-Learners

By Corey Mitchell — August 27, 2019 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

Helping English-learners access challenging courses may prevent them from developing long-term language difficulties, according to a new study in the journal Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis.

Prior studies on English-learner coursetaking identified three subgroups within the English-learner population: newcomers; reclassified English-learners; and long-term English-learners. The study—a longitudinal analysis of urban California students by the Center for School and Student Progress at NWEA, formerly the Northwest Evaluation Association—found newly arrived English-learners and those recently reclassified as proficient take just as many, if not more, advanced academic courses than their native English-speaking peers. Conversely, longer-term English-language learners take fewer advanced academic courses.

The study identified a fourth group of ELLs, dubbed “midterm” English-learners—students who are not newcomers, but may be on the path toward long-term English-learner status. The authors suggest schools must do more to support students who struggle with English proficiency and academics by prioritizing exposure to math, science, and social studies in the English-learner curriculum well before they reach high school, the final stage of their K-12 education. For that work, educators must avoid “watering down” the material, the study says.

“ELLs are very diverse,” said author, Angela Johnson, a research scientist at the NWEA center. “Educators and researchers have to appreciate the differences in their strengths and differences in their needs.”

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the August 28, 2019 edition of Education Week as Early Access to Advanced Courses Needed for English-Learners

Events

Student Well-Being K-12 Essentials Forum Social-Emotional Learning 2025: Examining Priorities and Practices
Join this free virtual event to learn about SEL strategies, skills, and to hear from experts on the use and expansion of SEL programs.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Professional Development Webinar
Inside PLCs: Proven Strategies from K-12 Leaders
Join an expert panel to explore strategies for building collaborative PLCs, overcoming common challenges, and using data effectively.
Content provided by Otus
Teaching Profession Key Insights to Elevate and Inspire Today’s Teachers
Join this free half day virtual event to energize your teaching and cultivate a positive learning experience for students.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

English Learners Q&A What’s Ahead for the 5.3 Million English Learners in Our Schools?
If English learners do well, the whole nation will, says the outgoing director of the federal office of English language acquisition.
6 min read
Photograph of a Hispanic elementary school girl writing at her desk in a classroom setting
E+
English Learners Which Students Are Earning the Seal of Biliteracy, in Charts
A growing number of students are graduating high school with a seal of biliteracy recognizing their multilingualism.
2 min read
Karen language students work on a presentation highlighting historical figures during a Karen for Karen speakers class at Washington Tech Magnet School in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2024.
Karen language students work on a presentation highlighting historical figures during a Karen for Karen-speakers class at Washington Tech Magnet School in St. Paul, Minn., on May 22, 2024. The St. Paul district has boosted seal of biliteracy participation by creating courses and assessments for less commonly spoken languages.
Kaylee Domzalski/Education Week
English Learners Schools Are Graduating More Students With a Seal That Shows They're Multilingual
All 50 states now allow students to earn a distinction on their diploma signaling their mastery of multiple languages.
6 min read
A students throw their caps into the sky at the Tupelo Christian Preparatory School graduation ceremony at Hope Church on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Tupelo, Miss.
Students throw their caps into the sky at the Tupelo Christian Preparatory School graduation ceremony at Hope Church on Saturday, May 18, 2024, in Tupelo, Miss. The seal of biliteracy on students' high school diplomas recognizes their multilingualism.
Hunt Mercier/The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal via AP
English Learners What New Research Shows About the Academic Success of Former English Learners
A new study offers a more nuanced look at English learners' academic performance in high school by disaggregating data.
4 min read
Photo of Latino teen studying in library.
iStock/Getty