Successful Strategies for English Language Learners

From http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2686

Successful Strategies for English Language Learners
Districts employ a variety of programs to address surging ELL enrollment—and dropout rate.
By Angela Pascopella
February 2011

Carlos Garcia, past president of the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents (ALAS) and superintendent of the San Francisco Unified School District and Augie Orci, ALAS executive director, point to several school districts, including Dallas (Texas) Independent School District, Kent (Wash.) School District, Tucson (Ariz.) Unified School District, San Francisco Unified School District and Washington County (Md.) Public Schools, that have successful ELL programs, some of which have developed over time. “These may not be the only school districts that are doing well with ELL students, but they are districts that have strategically planned to address the needs of ELL students,” says Garcia. “It is critical that districts lay out a plan specifically for these students, or nothing happens [for the better].”

Each of the districts has its own approach, and some use a combination of programs. In some cases, as in Arizona, districts must abide by state laws and mandates.

Read more about the approaches used by these districts at http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2686