EL Projects with the U.S. Department of Education

In partnership with the American Institutes for Research, we began a project with the U.S. Department of Education to compile and review state data on the policy and practices of dual language education programs. DSF Consulting will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data on such topics as how states define dual language education programs, their funding sources, student eligibility and placement criteria, program assessment and accountability, and teacher training.

Together with the Center for Applied Linguistics, we drafted fact sheets on ELs and special education that, with the U.S. Department of Education’s approval, will appear on the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA) updated website.

In partnership with the American Institutes for Research, we began Year 2 work for the Quality of ELP Assessment project. The goal of the project is to evaluate state and local implementation of Title III assessment and accountability systems and to produce a technical guide to assist State Educational Agencies and other stakeholders to prepare ELP assessment materials for peer review.

Curriculum for English Learners

In September 2014, New York State released the Scaffolding Instruction for English Language Learns Resource Guides for ELA and Mathematics. These Scaffolding Resource Guides provide guidance to educators on how to use the CCSS-aligned curricular materials available on the engageNY website with ELs. DSF Consulting, in partnership with the American Institutes for Research, scaffolded multiple lessons to meet the needs of ELs of varying levels of English language proficiency.

Professional Development for Teachers of English Learners

In conjunction with TESOL International Association we began piloting the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) we developed on teaching early childhood ELs with education students at Hunter College and Teachers College in New York City. The participants have been producing reflective, high-quality work that takes into account the needs of ELs and young Dual Language Learners, and feedback on the MOOC material we developed has been positive. The project is funded by a grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and the pilot will last throughout the fall semester.

We provided assistance to the Peace Corps in developing materials to support the evaluation of TEFL teacher volunteers. The evaluation system is part of the pilot of a comprehensive TEFL teacher training program that is currently being implemented in three Peace Corps posts.

Feedback on CCSS-Aligned Assessment

We are reviewing and providing feedback on the Council for Aid to Education’s PARCC Speaking and Listening evidence claims, classroom discussion materials, and performance task models and principles. The purpose of our review is to support ELs in taking part in PARCC Speaking and Listening formative assessments.

We are reviewing and providing feedback on online professional development modules developed by Amplify to support teachers’ Common Core-aligned instruction and assessment for the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. These online modules are designed to provide strategies for educators to use supporting all students (including ELs, students with special needs, and gifted students) within the CSSS framework.

Presentations in Fall 2014

• On October 16^th Sydney Snyder will be presenting at the Pennsylvania Migrant Education and English as a Second Language State Conference in Harrisburg, PA. The topic will be Academic Language for ELLs within the Pennsylvania Core Standards Framework.
• On October 18^th Diane Staehr Fenner will present at the WATESOL fall convention in Maryland. The topic will be Advocating for ELs.
• On October 22^nd Diane Staehr Fenner will be providing a full day professional development to ESL teachers, content teachers, and administrators in Lancaster, PA. The topic will be: Reframing the Teaching of English Learners within the Pennsylvania Core Framework
• On November 19, Diane Staehr Fenner will keynote the Missouri Migrant Education and English Language Learning Conference. The topic will be Advocating for ELs in the Common Core.
• On December 9, Diane Staehr Fenner will so-present with Dr. Peter Kozik at the Learning Forward Conference in Nashville, TN. The topic will be Inclusive Teacher Evaluation for Teachers of All Students.