The Inclusion and
Exclusion of
English Language
Learners in the
Comprehensive School Reform
Movement
OVERVIEW
Presenters Dr. Ted Hamann and Dr.
Odette Piñeiro discussed the
inadequacy of the Comprehensive School Reform (CSR) movement to sufficiently
take into account the needs of a rapidly growing English Language Learner
population.
ISSUES
According to research conducted by members of the The Education Alliance, 1 out of every
17 ELL students is enrolled in a CSRD school - a number more than double that
of the general population, where the statistic is 1/44 students. In Vermont, one-third of ELLs are
enrolled in a CSRD school.
APPLICATION
Despite these statistics,
there is little evidence that schools are moving towards a model that seeks to
include ELLs.
Dr. Hamann's research
suggests that:
·
CSRD schools serve a disproportionate
number of ELLs
·
State departments of education assume that ELL needs
are not met in CSRD
· CSRD models that would benefit ELLs need to be
developed
In Puerto Rico,
models developed
for use in the continental US may not always be appropriate, according to Dr.
Piñeiro. However, certain universal elements
still apply.
An appropriate model for
use in Puerto Rico would include:
·
a school improvement committee with clear
goals
·
competent and confident
teachers
·
personalized learning plans for
students
It would
elicit:
·
community involvement
·
increased student achievement
CONCLUSION
Goal of
research:
To bridge the gap between Title VII and CSRD by encouraging state departments of education workers to establish informal networks of communication.
MORE
INFORMATION
Contact Dr. Hamaan (Ted_Hamann@brown.edu) or Dr. Pineiro (pineiro_o@de.gobierno.pr)