And Justice for ELs is a resource every school leader must read right away—for that matter, keep within arm’s reach because you’re certain to refer to it constantly. Ayanna Cooper, a former U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, has ‘been there, done that’ and is now prepared to share with you how best to translate today’s federal mandates into actionable steps for ensuring the civil rights of our nation’s multilingual learners.
Because it is impossible to provide specific advice or guidance for every possible situation, Ayanna focuses on the ‘need-to knows’ for making informed decisions within your own building:
- Eight questions you must ask—and how to obtain answers—before planning English language development services
- The most common EL program models, with special emphasis on scheduling, along with specific challenges and appropriate staffing
- The why and how of evaluating English language education, regardless of the evaluation tool, and ways to facilitate conversations with teachers before and after observation
- How to determine the type of professional learning that will have the greatest impact in your unique context
- Recommendations for establishing productive relationships with linguistically diverse families and communities
- Just about every tool you could possibly need, including a glossary of acronyms, useful advocacy organizations, and templates for supporting professional learning
But what you’ll love most is the way Ayanna ‘keeps it real.’ Every chapter is framed around a ‘What Would You Do?’ scenario, for which she ultimately provides an answer(s) as well as guiding questions to help you think through the issues. Take a look for yourself. We know you’ll agree that And Justice for ELs is without question a one-of-a-kind resource.
‘And Justice for ELs is an excellent guide for practitioners who seek to provide their English learners with high-quality instruction in all subject areas. Too often such students are relegated an education that marginalizes them academically and fails to develop their native language skills. We can and must do a better job for these students, and in this book Ayanna Cooper shows us how.’
~Pedro A. Noguera
Table of Content
Foreword by Margarita Espino Calderón
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1: English Learners in Your School and What You Need to Know and Do to Support Them
Scenario: Awareness and Action for All ELs
Knowing Your ELs
Urgency in Action
Assets-Based, Culturally Responsive Schools
Supporting ELs: Eight Important Questions
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 2: Program Models for English Learners: What’s Happening in Your School?
Scenario: Selecting Appropriate Service Models for English Learners
Adhering to Federal Guidance
Program Models
Assessing Program Models for Efficacy
Staffing
Professional Learning
Communicating With Parents
When Parents Opt Out of Language Support Services
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 3: Evaluating Teachers of English Learners—Conversations Beyond the Rubric
Scenario: Needs improvement, Meets, Exceeds, or Not Applicable
Conversations Beyond the Rubric
Look Fors: Key Considerations
Articulating Needs to Support ELs
Supporting Preservice Teachers
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 4: Action Steps for Job-Embedded Professional Learning With a Focus on English Learners
Scenario: A Program by Any Other Name Is Not the Same
A PL Cycle of Inquiry
PL Action Steps
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 5: Partnering With Parents of English Learners
Scenario: Helping Parents Analyze Their Child’s English Language Proficiency Report
Connecting Families and Community
Parent Communication Preferences
Helping EL Families Understand the Academic Calendar
Scenario: Early Release/Late Pick-Up
Grade Level Placements of ELs and What Parents Need to Know
Bullying
Scenario: Bullying in Elementary School
Supporting Your Staff to Build Positive Relationships With EL Families
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Afterword
Index
About the author
Ayanna Cooper, Ed D, is a consultant, advocate for culturally and linguistically diverse learners, and is currently serving on the executive board of TESOL International Association. As owner of ACooper Consulting, her projects involve providing technical assistance internationally and to state departments of education, school districts, and nonprofit organizations. In addition to being an author, Dr. Cooper has contributed to a number of publications, such as the WIDA Essential Actions Handbook and Language Magazine. She also writes a monthly blog focused on the civil rights of English learners for TESOL International Association. As a plenary speaker and frequent conference presenter, she has had the opportunity to share her work across the United States and internationally. In addition to teaching English as a second language, she has held a number of positions throughout her career, such as English learner instructional coach, urban education teacher supervisor, Title III director, and bilingual program specialist. Dr. Cooper is a U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist alumna.
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