NEPC Review: Meeting the Needs of English Learners and Other Diverse Learners

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Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/defaults/rx913q910

Abstract

The research summary titled Meeting the Needs of English Learners and Other Diverse Learners outlines the administration’s proposals for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to address the special educational needs of a broad category of students described as "diverse learners." While it purports to address recommendations for three groups (English learners, other diverse learners, and students with disabilities), the report does not in fact include students with disabilities. The research summary provides general recommendations without a systematic review of the research in support of the recommendations and without specific suggestions for how to put them into effect. The research summary highlights challenges but fails to provide solutions or suggest program improvements. For example, it indicates that all prospective teachers should be trained in English-learner teaching but does not address how this could be accomplished. The report introduces topics such as inadequate funding, program flexibility, and the need for data disaggregation, but provides no insights into how to progress in these areas. It says little about the rich research base in English-language learning and in meeting the needs of diverse learners. The research summary is also notable for the challenges and possible recommendations it fails to address, such as content area assessments and instruction.

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