U of M Research to Practices Brief

The University of Minnesota has done research on the achievement gap and college readiness.  They have started to put out short briefs on the research.  Below is some information from the brief on working with EL students.

The Research to Practice Brief will provide school leaders with information and resources on current Minnesota issues related to closing achievement gaps and preparing students for postsecondary success. Each brief will provide short guidance on a topic and include resources available at the University of Minnesota and beyond. School leaders can use the Research to Practice Brief as a framework for applying current research to best meet their school’s needs.

Decades of research tells us that the most effective instructional approaches for ELs follow three principles. Effective instruction:

1. supports the development of the students’ native language;
2. provides high quality, rigorous English as a Second Language (ESL) education that differentiates instruction based on students’ prior experience with formal schooling; and
3. provides access to the full academic curriculum through demanding content courses that support learning content and language skills, including development of academic language (beyond conversational language).

Reaching across all three principles is an emphasis on literacy, reading, and academic language. Both oral and written academic language skills need attention.

Click here to see the full brief.