Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and English

Language Learners

 English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest growing group of students in the United States and among the lowest achieving, as measured by standardized tests and graduation rates. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS), now adopted by 45 states and three US territories, will place even greater language and literacy demands on all students. What do these more rigorous standards mean for ELLs?

The CCSS and NGSS

• The New Standards…..Raise the bar for content learning and highlight the role of construct-relevant disciplinary language.

• Define language not just as in cognitive terms, but in terms of teacher-student and student discourse.

What Do the New Standards Imply? Focus on Language• “Students can, without significant scaffolding, comprehend and evaluate complex texts across a range of types and disciplines and they can construct effective arguments and convey intricate and multifaceted information” (ELA student portraits, p. 7) • Mathematically proficient students understand and use stated assumptions, definitions, and previously established results in constructing arguments. They make conjectures, and build a logical progression of statements to explore the truth of their conjectures” (Math practices, pp. 6-7)

Science Practices Focus on Language

Major Shifts in New StandardsELA Math Science

• Regular practice with complex text and its vocabulary • Building knowledge through content-rich informational texts • Emphasis on reading, writing, and speaking that is grounded in evidence from the text

• Provide opportunities for student access to the different mathematical (discourse) practices described in the CCSS • Support mathematical discussions and use a variety of participation structures • Focus on students’ mathematical reasoning, NOT on students’ flawed or developing language

• Developing and using models • Constructing explanations (for science) and developing solutions (for engineering) • Engaging in argument from evidence • Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

Students Are Challenged to…

• engage in productive oral and written group work with peers,

• engage in effective oral and written interactions with teachers, • explain and demonstrate their knowledge using emerging complex language and other communicative strategies in different settings, and • extract meaning from complex written texts.

Old Paradigm of Understanding Language

Content LanguageM

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New Paradigm

Content Language

• Extended Discourse• Discussing Complex Text

• Explanation• Argumentation• Purpose of Text• Analyzing Text

Structures• Complex Sentences• Targeted Vocabulary in

Context

New Paradigm

Math

Science

Language Arts

ContentExtended DiscourseDiscussing Complex Text ExplanationArgumentationPurpose of TextAnalyzing Text StructuresComplex SentencesTargetedVocabulary in Context

Extended Discourse

Discussing Complex Text

Explanation

Argumentation

Purpose of Text

Analyzing Text Structures

Complex Sentences

Targeted Vocabulary in

Context

Extended Discourse

Discussing Complex Text

ExplanationArgumentation

Purpose of TextAnalyzing Text Structures

Complex Sentences

Targeted Vocabulary in

Context

Bridging Research to Practice

• REL-NEI is administered by Education Development Center, Inc.

• Major Partners: – Learning Innovations at WestEd – American Institutes for Research • Stanford University – Understanding Languagehttp://ell.stanford.edu/