What's happening in Massachusetts could very well happen in all states - Wisconsin too! Extensive training for all academic content teachers will be
required as a result of federal civil rights investigation that found current programs were inadequate. More than 7% of Mass. students are ELL and the numbers are increasing every year, just like in Wisconsin. Massachusetts has scrapped the current state standards for ELL proficiency and are adopting WIDA standards and assessments which we are very familiar with. Coaching will be available to teachers as part of this effort in addition to coursework.
Three training highlights...
- Getting teachers to understand and embrace their responsibility for teaching language to ELLs.
- Understanding how language is acquired.
- Instructional strategies and practices that make up sheltered English immersion.
Roger Rice, a civil rights lawyer and critic of the Massachuetts' programs for ELLs said he thinks training for teachers must go beyond core-content teachers.
What is your reaction to Massachutte's new training requirements for content area teachers? Do you agree with Roger Rice? Please comment...especially those of you who have had experience teaching ELLs.
Mass. Moves on ELL-Training for Regular Teachers. Lesli Maxwell. 8.8.12.
Premium article - Education Week.
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/08/08/37massell.h31.html?tkn=RPXFqsHTkepXwBT4TFRRnPo4I1i8Y5%2BUtoqQ&cmp=ENL-TU-NEWS2
As I am currently completing my M.A. in ESL and Literacy this article stands out to me because I completely agree with these new training requirements and would love to see this happen in Wisconsin. The fact is our ELL population is growing and teachers are unprepared. They have not been educated in language acquisition and the best practices for their students. Although it is unfortunate that the education leaders in MA didn’t decide to implement extensive ELL training for all classroom teachers until they received pressure from the federal civil rights officials I believe it will greatly benefit both the newly trained teachers and most importantly the ELLs. I also have to say that I do agree with Roger Rice - anyone who is teaching ELL's should be properly equipped to do so - if that means every teacher should be required to do the training than so be it. It's about what's best for these students.
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