ACTION 3

Support an equitable, flexible & comprehensive approach to curriculum development and implementation for multilingual learners

Mindset Shift

We used to think...

We must follow a system of education that thought teachers should follow any standard curricula with fidelity, as the curricula were assumed to include content, strategies, and instruction that benefited ALL students

Now we know...

MLs deserve equitable instruction: Research-aligned curriculum is necessary as the foundation for instruction, yet expertise in literacy allows teachers to implement their curriculum with integrity to match research-aligned strategies and meet the needs of ALL learners in their specific context.

Best Practice Strategies

To cultivate a supportive multi-language learning environment:

School Leaders

  • Provide High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) that support divers sets of learners and their unique needs.

  • Ensure all HQIM are aligned to federal/state standards and evidence-based best practices in literacy, including

    • Frequent progress monitoring through embedded and aligned assessments

    • Implementation support for teachers

    • Culturally responsive student-facing and teacher lesson materials

      AND

    • Supports and scaffolds for MLs baked into the content design

  • Provide tools, routines and coaching to teachers that support their thinking and decision-making specifically for MLs within their general implementation of materials for all students.

Teachers

  • Utilize High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) for foundational literacy curriculum.

  • Integrate thinking and decision-making specifically for MLs within general implementation of materials for all students.

Resources

Explore Reports in conjunction with ELSF ML Guidelines
Reports & Article・Ed Reports

EdReports provides reviews on ELA curriculum, while the ELSF ELA Guidelines provides guidance for educators to improve ELA materials to meet the needs of MLs. Teachers may use these resources in conjunction to assess the quality of their school's chosen curriculum (or help them choose a new curriculum).

Websites

Essential Practices for ELL Achievement
Website・Oakland Unified School District

These essential practices summarize our theory of change to ensure our ELLs are on track to graduate college, career, and community ready.

Curriculum Implementation Framework
Framework・Instruction Partners

This framework provides guide to help with the process of implementation once HQIM are selected.

Artifacts

How Well Do My English Language Arts Instructional Materials Support English Learners?
Inventory・English Learners Success Forum

This inventory is intended for those developing, procuring, or using instructional materials and for those who want to create better learning conditions and academic outcomes for Multilingual Learners.

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