Enhancing Science Instruction to Meet the Needs of English Learners in Grades 6–12

The goal of this one day session was to bring together panelists representing research and practice to describe effective instructional practices that promote science achievement of English Learners (ELs). This session was geared toward middle and high school science teachers seeking to learn techniques for teaching ELs, as well as Colleges or Schools of Education faculty wishing to share this information with their teachers in training.

 

A major challenge for ELs in mastering science content is acquisition of the academic language reflected in science texts and other science instructional materials. The Next Generation Science Standards, set to be launched in early 2013, present unique challenges for ELs, but are also an opportunity to develop instructional programs that will provide ELs with access to rigorous academic content. The future of our economy relies on creating a skilled workforce that can carry the STEM field into the next century of innovation, and ELs are an important part of that future.

 

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The meeting was facilitated by Dr. Okhee Lee, Professor of Science Education, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University.

 

Presentations:

• Welcome: Dr. Joanne Urrutia, Deputy Director, Office of English Language Acquisition, U.S. Department of Education
• Enhancing Science Instruction to Meet the Needs of English Learners in Grades 6-12: Dr. Okhee Lee, Professor of Science Education, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University
• Next Generation Science Standards: Dr. Steven Pruitt, Vice President, Content, Research and Development, Achieve Inc.
• NGSS and ELLs: Dr. Helen Quinn, Professor Emerita of Physics, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University
• Science- Creating District Level Policies and Professional Learning Conditions for ALL Students to thrive in Science: Maria Santos, Co-Chair of the Understanding Language Initiative, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, Leadership and Equity-in-Action , Oakland Unified School District
• Classroom Implications of NGSS for ELLs: Emily Miller, NGSS Design Team Member, 2nd and 3rd grade ESL and Bilingual Resource Teacher, Hawthorne Elementary School, Madison, Wisconsin
• The English Language Learner Portfolio at the National Science Foundation: Dr. Julio Lopez-Ferrao, Program Director, Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings, National Science Foundation
• Investments in STEM: Camsie McAdams, Senior Advisor on STEM Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development, U.S. Department of Education