Start Strong for MLs: Using Last Year’s Data to Guide This Year’s Success
You know those manila folders — the ones with each student’s name scribbled on the tab, filled with paperwork from kindergarten to now? The ones in the front office’s many filing cabinets for every grade level and every teacher? The cumulative (cum) folders, as we call them. For new students, those folders are thin, may […]
Beyond the Rope: Reimagining Reading Instruction Through a Multilingual Lens
By Laura McBride Reading reform is everywhere. And if you’re in the education space, chances are you’ve heard phrases like “structured literacy,” “phonics first,” or “back to the rope” more than once this summer. The momentum around the Science of Reading (SoR) has reshaped district priorities and instructional practices across the country. At its core, […]
Planning with Purpose: Supporting English Learners Amid Title III Uncertainty
As districts prepare for the upcoming school year, one reality is clear: the future of Title III funding, the only federal funding stream specifically dedicated to multilingual learners, is uncertain. While no long term changes have been enacted, the current response to this reality, in many systems, has been a kind of freeze —a pause […]
Your Roadmap is Ready: Using an Overlooked Resource to Differentiate with Confidence
by Rachel Hawthorne Have you ever wondered how to continue to differentiate EL instruction beyond the basics? Many times, after the use of visuals, multisensory methods, or TPR strategies, teachers find themselves out of ideas for how to further support their English Learners. But it doesn’t have to stop there. Depending on your state, there […]
Phonics Isn’t Enough: A Closer Look at Oral Language for MLs
The Science of Reading (SoR) movement is shaping literacy policy and practice. But if you’re serving multilingual learners (MLs), the question isn’t just whether your practices align with SoR—it’s whether they reflect the full picture of what reading development really looks like for your students. And more and more experts agree: Oral language is the […]
Unlocking Newcomer Success: How an Asset-Based Approach Provides a Path Forward
If you’ve ever had a newcomer in your class, chances are you’ve asked yourself one, if not all, of these questions. Many times, EL teachers can feel stuck or at a loss when considering how to best teach and meet their newcomer’s needs. Questions like the ones stated above are left unanswered. With a simple […]
What the Science of Reading Gets Right (and Wrong) for Multilingual Learners
The school year is winding down, and the testing windows are closing. School year countdowns are starting to pop up on classroom whiteboards. And curriculum directors everywhere are beginning that familiar mental juggle—finish strong and plan for what’s next. One topic likely popping up in your inbox, your summer PD schedule, and your curriculum review […]
What to Do After ELP Testing: Reflection, Reset, Reengage
The headsets are packed up. The testing signs are down. And your team—understandably—is tired. After the long weeks of ELP testing, it’s tempting to close the door and just move on. But this post-testing window is more than just a breather—it’s an opportunity. This is the perfect time to reflect on what went well, reset […]
Navigating New Immigration Policies: What Title III/EL Programs Need to Know
In my first few years of teaching multilingual students and working with immigrant families, I vividly remember the uncertainty and anxiety that filled our classrooms as immigration policies changed seemingly overnight. I watched families worry about their futures, students question their safety, and staff struggle to respond compassionately and accurately. It was a challenging time, […]
It’s Annual ELP Testing Season: Preparing Your Students for Success
Every year, English Learner (EL) program directors, teachers, and students prepare for one of the most important milestones in language development: the annual English Language Proficiency (ELP) assessment. These tests—such as WIDA ACCESS, ELPAC, and TELPAS—are more than just federal and state compliance requirements. They provide invaluable insights into student progress and help shape effective […]