Diverse Learners
The increasing cultural and linguistic diversity in U.S. classrooms, along with the testing and reporting requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, demand that schools focus on the needs of all students. However, students' educational needs can be as diverse and unique as students are themselves, and schools often face challenges when trying to determine how to best support these diverse learners in a way that allows them to reach their potential.
Diverse learners with unique educational needs can include students with disabilities, students from racial and ethnic minorities, students from migrant or immigrant families, and English language learners (ELLs). Both male and female students can also face gender-based challenges to reaching their educational potential. Knowing that a one-size-fits-all approach cannot succeed for all students, The Education Alliance works with states, districts, schools, and teachers to develop various supports for diverse learners. Only by attending to students' distinct needs can we create safe schools, close persistent achievement gaps, and help all students meet high standards.
We have developed and successfully used a portfolio of strategies and systemic development tools that assist educators in identifying ways to better meet the needs of diverse students.
For information about our work specifically addressing the needs of English Language Learners, go to Areas of Expertise: English Language Learners.
To improve the education of diverse learners, we work with schools in the following areas:
Related Work
- New England Equity Assistance Center
- The Teacher's Guide to Diversity: Workshops for Teachers
- Leading with Diversity Professional Development Curriculum
- Teaching Diverse Learners Web site
- The Knowledge Loom: Culturally Responsive Teaching
- The Knowledge Loom: Elementary Literacy for ELLs
Related Publications
- Teacher's Guide to Diversity: Building a Knowledge Base
- Leading with Diversity: Cultural Competencies for Teacher Preparation and Professional Development
Related Professional Services
Professional Learning:
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