Resource Library Resource Library

Advocacy Advocacy

What is advocacy? Importance to MLs SupportEd’s approach

Advocacy is the act of speaking out on behalf of another person or group that hasn’t yet develop their own voice.  

MLs and their families are a group that is in the process of developing their voice in education. Therefore, ML advocates need to have a deep understanding of each ML and their backgrounds and needs in order to appropriately advocate on their behalf. Advocating on behalf of MLs can ensure MLs receive an equitable and excellent education.  

SupportEd takes a scaffolded approach to advocacy for MLs with the goal of MLs and their families to be able to advocate for themselves. However, we need to support them along the way by advocating for a shared sense of responsibility for ML success, policies that promote culturally responsive practices and MLs’ success during school and for life after graduation. Ultimately, MLs and their families should be able to advocate for themselves so that MLs are able to successfully engage in schools and so their families feel like valued partners, just like their English fluent peers. For a more detailed understanding of scaffolded advocacy for MLs, check out chapter 1 of Advocating for English Learners: A Guide for Educators. 

Printables Printables

NEA/CC Advocacy

Study Guide

Advocating for English Learners PLC

Book Study Questions

The State of EL Advocacy

Infographic

Family Engagement Barriers

Solutions Guide

Community Walk Student

Planning Template

Maximizing Resources and Serving Students Effectively

Infographic

NEA/CC Advocacy Case Study

This case study was developed based on a compilation of responses that we received to a survey in which teachers shared their experiences of educating MLs during the crisis. The study shares real stories of how teachers are advocating for MLs.

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Advocating for English Learners PLC and Book Study Questions

To help guide educators’ discussions around the topics in the book, Advocating for English Learners we’ve designed discussion questions framed around the book’s chapters. We encourage you to download this useful list of questions and launch your own groups to focus on advocating for English Learners.

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The State of EL Advocacy

This infographicprovides insight into nationwide EL advocacy challenges and suggestions to address common advocacy issues in your contexts.

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Family Engagement Barriers & Solutions

This one-page guide displays Possible barriers to ML Family engagement and solutions.

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Community Walk Student Planning Template

A community walk helps teachers learn more about students’ communities and cultures. What important things do we want our
teachers to learn aboutour communities?

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Maximizing Resources and Serving Students Effectively

Creating a schedule that will meet the needs of your English learner population can be quite a challenge! This infographic presents some best practices in designing effective schedules so you will be able to effectively leverage ESOL/bilingual teachers to meet the educational needs of your English learners in all of their classes.

Books Books

Advocating for English Learners Advocating for English Learners

This book demystifies the techniques of advocacy for ELs, including ashared sense of responsibility for EL success, an overview for administrators with influencing policy and fostering a culture that meets EL needs, and advocacy for ELs’ success beyond Grade 12 —Equipping ELs for life after graduation.

Courses Courses

Advocating for English Learners

Online Book Study

Effectively Advocating for MLs

Online Course

Supporting ELs’ Pathways to Graduation

Online Course

Webinars Webinars

How Teachers Can Advocate for English Learners (ELs) How Teachers Can Advocate for English Learners (ELs)

Explore common challenges faced by educators when advocating for ELs. Gain practical tools for EL advocacy that you can implement into your schools and districts immediately.

  • Defining EL advocacy
  • Isolating your EL advocacy issue
  • Highlighting 3 key EL advocacy issues
  • Advocating for ELs using steps and tools designed for each issue
  • Applying your EL advocacy skills
  • Presenter: Diane Staehr Fenner

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