English Language Learner KnowledgeBase for Administrators & Teachers

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The English Language Learner (ELL) KnowledgeBase for Administrators and Teachers is an online resource supporting both the administration, teaching and execution of programs for English learning students. It offers resources related to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requirements and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Task 3: Implement School Professional Learning Program

Guideline: Staff development must meet school district requirements. This could include professional learning in the following areas:

understanding processes/policies in the identification and exit of ELL students for both intake staff members and classroom teachers
instructing alternative language program staff in carrying out the program model
instructing content teachers on strategies for working with ELL students
instructing translators and staff members who will assist in the special education assessment process

resources

Tools

Steps to Developing a Personal Professional Development Plan

This planning tool offers an eight-step guide and planning template to develop a personal development plan. It is based on "By Your Own Design," a website and CD-ROM developed by the former Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education (ENC) and the National Staff Development Council (Learning Forward).

Guidelines

A Framework for Professional Development

This document from the New York State Department of Education provides a framework for professional development.

A Framework for Reviewing Professional Development Policies and Practices

This article from the Consortium for Policy Research in Education (CPRE) Policy Brief lists key questions to ask during the review of professional development policies and practices. Each major question has a list of supporting questions to be addressed.

Checklists

Professional Development: Follow Your Own Lead

From Education World, this resource is a reflection on teacher professional learning. "As schools move full-tilt towards a professional development model more attuned to collegial school-wide goals, educator Brenda Dyck explores the need to balance that model with one that recognizes the professional goals of individual teachers."

References

Building Teacher Capacity to Support English Language Learners

This article published is by National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance.

Educating English Language Learners: Building Teacher Capacity - Roundtable Report Volume 3

A link to NCELA's 2008 Roundtable Report on professional development for mainstream teachers of ELL students. It "considers the initial and continuing education of pre-service and practicing teachers as they pertain to teaching students from diverse linguistic backgrounds."

Individual Professional Development Plan

This link to the Vermont Northern Lights Career Development Center offers guidance on developing an individual professional learning plan. Though focused on early childhood educators, the content on creating a professional learning plan may serve as a useful example for all educators.

Professional Development Resources

This U.S. Department of Education link to the "Tools and Resources for Staffing and Reporting an English Learner Program," provides a compilation of professional development tools and resources on Pages 3-6.

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.