Increasing Math Proficiency for English Language Learners

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Photo: DreamBox Learning

"Increasing Math Proficiency for English Language Learners" describes how to ensure that programs are effective by incorporating best practices that support ELLs, and teachers working with them, to close the achievement gap. Schools can help ELLs at all levels of language proficiency learn math concepts, develop conceptual understanding and procedural fluency in foundational math concepts by ensuring:

• Highly visual, hands-on activities and use of virtual math manipulatives
• Continuous and dynamic performance assessment
• Adaptive, individualized instruction
• Comprehension and progress monitoring and reporting for teachers

When compared to overall student enrollment, English language learners (ELLs) are the fastest-growing K-12 segment in the United States today and this trend shows no signs of slowing down. The exponential growth in ELL enrollment is changing the dynamics of today’s elementary school classrooms even in states that had not seen large numbers of ELLs in the past. A growing number of ELLs are being educated in mainstream classrooms by teachers without the training or resources needed to effectively instruct them. Against this backdrop, most ELLs are not meeting academic proficiency standards; especially alarming is their growing achievement gap in mathematics.

The numbers and needs of ELLs in the K-12 mainstream classroom are growing, and with them come new challenges for educators. ELLs come to the elementary classroom with varying levels of English language proficiency, varying levels of math proficiency, and a high need for individualized support.
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Source: DreamBox Learning