McREL helps Wyoming schools support ELLs
In the Sweetwater School District, McREL is developing and testing a process to help rural schools address the academic needs of English-language learners (ELLs).
Rural schools across Wyoming and the Central Region have experienced
dramatic increases in ELL students. Often, educators have little experience
serving the needs of these students, many of whom are taught in mainstream
classrooms.
The challenge is to help rural districts develop methods for identifying
the needs of ELL students, develop mainstream teachers’ ability
to help students become English proficient, and help schools meaningfully
engage the parents of ELL students.
In Sweetwater, McREL integrated research, knowledge, and professional wisdom into a comprehensive program. McREL worked with a team of district leaders to develop policies for supporting ELL students and a professional development plan aimed at providing teachers with effective instructional strategies for ELL students. McREL also helped schools implement meaningful family involvement practices that address No Child Left Behind requirements.
“McREL has had a tremendous impact on our school,” said David Hvidston, principal of Overland Elementary in Rock Springs. “They helped us understand the need for providing teachers with continuous professional development and made an incredible impact with our parents.”
Drawing upon lessons learned in Sweetwater, McREL made minor improvements to its ELL support program and has documented the impact the improved intervention is having on teachers, parents, and students in nearby Green River.