Council of the Great City Schools

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• Council of the Great City Schools
• Bilingual, Immigrant and Refugee Education
• Directors Meeting

Strategies for Improving Achievement of
Long-term ELLs and ELLs in Secondary Schools
May 8, 2008
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SPPS Initiatives to Support Secondary ELLs

• Instructional Collaboration Model
• ELL and content area teachers co-teach
  transitional classes
• Language Through Content Professional Development
• Content area teachers come together to learn how
  to use best practice ELL strategies to support
  ELLs in the mainstream
• Graduation Pathways
• Provide structural guidance for older newcomers
  (age 16 - 17) to enable them to complete all
  credits necessary to graduate in four years

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Secondary ESL

• Targeted approach to support content areas and
  language fluency
• Emphasizes reading and writing skills in content
  classes
• Higher level classes prepare students to pass MN
  BSTs and GRAD test in reading and writing

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Secondary English Language Centers

• ELCs are part of the regular school programs in 5
  junior highs and 4 high schools
• Students transition to mainstream classes as
  their English skills improve
• Many transitional classes are co-taught by an ELL
  and a content teacher
• Students work towards high school diploma since
  ELC classes count toward graduation

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International Academy - LEAP

• ELL students can earn a high school diploma in a
  flexible alternative (ALC) setting
• Important alternative for students starting at an
  age where a regular high school program might not
  meet their needs
• Only ELL students attend IA-LEAP

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Components of 7-12 Instructional Collaboration

• ELL teacher and mainstream math, science or
  social studies teacher
• Co-planning, co-teaching
• Common planning time
• Parity

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Components of 7-12 Instructional Collaboration

• Teaching language through content
• Sheltered instruction
• Standards
• Literacy, reading in the content areas
• Second language acquisition

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Implementation

• Presentation discussion with middle school and
  high school principals
• Kick-off informational meeting for teachers
• Sites choose one or more class where
  collaboration would be implemented during the
  first year
• Science Foundations of science, physical, life
• Math ELL math 1, pre-algebra, algebra
• Social studies U.S. history, Economics/Civics
• Professional Development

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Professional Development Model and Schedule

• Workshops 4 options
• Site-based
• Summer
• During the school day
• After school
• Professional Learning Communities
• On-going discussions to promote reflective
  practice
• In-class coaching

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Contact Information

• Heidi Bernal, Director
• English Language Learner Programs
• heidi.bernal_at_spps.org
• 651-767-8320
• www.ell.spps.org