ELL Education: Best Practices from Exemplary Schools

This well researched study analyzes how highly effective schools with high ELL populations provide instruction that results in excellent performance in state states.  ELLs in 5 states were examined (California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and New Mexico).
Findings include these characteristics...

• Explicit instruction
• Interactive learning environments
• Collaborative learning for language and reading
• Student engagement in culturally relevant lessons
• Teachers certified in bilingual or ESL or large number of highly trained staff
• Professional development:  effective instructional strategies
• Greatest challenge:  parent-school connections

Read summary findings and obtain the full study on Colorin Colorado website - an excellent source for ELL information of all kinds.

Effective Practices for English Language Learners.  Rivera, David J. Francis, Magdalena Fernandez, Ani C. Moughamian, Julia Jergensen, Nonie K. Lesaux; Center on Instruction. 2010
http://www.colorincolorado.org/research/academic/