Common Core State Standards: Implications for English Learners

1. Common Core State Standards:Implications for English Learners Magdalena Ruz Gonzalez, M.Ed. Project Director III Multilingual Academic Support Unit/ELL Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services Ruz-Gonzalez_Magda@lacoe.edu Bobbi Ciriza Houtchens, M.A. Consultant bhoutchens@yahoo.com http://commoncore.lacoe.edu

2. Outcomes for Session • To learn what is currently addressed in Common Core State Standards as it relates to English Learners • To examine samples of “EL access to Common Core Standards”

3. AB 124 Fuentes: Academic Content Standards: English Language Development Standards • Establishes ELD standards Advisory Committee responsible for updating, revising and aligning, by August 31, 2012 • The ELD standards will be aligned to the Common Core State academic content standards. • Committee must include teachers and administrators with expertise in instruction English Learners.

4. ELs Meet High Academic Standards in Language Arts Common Core • Access to teachers and personnel at the school and district levels who are well prepared to support ELs; building on strengths and skills; • Instruction that develops foundational skills in English and enables ELs to participate fully in grade-level coursework;

5. ELs Meet High Academic Standards in Language Arts Common Core • Immersed in a variety of literacy-rich school environments; • Coursework that prepares ELs for postsecondary education or the workplace, is made comprehensible through specific pedagogical techniques and additional resources;

6. ELs Meet High Academic Standards in Language Arts Common Core • Opportunities for classroom discourse and interaction are well-designed to enable ELs to develop communicative strengths in language arts; • Ongoing assessment and feedback guides learning; • Provide ELs with native English language role models and support.

7. Mathematics Instruction, MathematicalDiscourse and Academic Language: EL Success • Language switching can be swift, highly automatic, and facilitate rather than inhibit solving word problems; • Instruction should ensure that students understand the text of word problems before they attempt to solve them;

8. Mathematics Instruction, MathematicalDiscourse and Academic Language: EL Success • Instruction should include a focus on “mathematical discourse” and “academic language”. • Students learn to participate in mathematical reasoning, not by merely learning vocabulary, but by making conjectures, presenting explanations, and/or constructing arguments;

9. Mathematics Instruction, MathematicalDiscourse and Academic Language: EL Success • While vocabulary instruction is important, it is not sufficient for supporting mathematical communication. • Vocabulary drill and practice are not the most effective instructional practices for learning vocabulary.

10. Stanford National Initiative: ELs Meet Common Core State Standards • Dr. Kenji Hakuta • Sponsor meetings, webinars, commission papers on key topics, collaborate with local districts • Create clear specifications and exemplars of how teachers can foster English language proficiency as part of subject matter instruction • http://ell.stanford.edu

11. Are We ALL in Agreement? • Are we all in agreement that ELs need systematic English language development through specific ELD standards? • Are we all in agreement that ELs need access to content through specific differentiated instruction and assessments?

12. THE NEXT SAMPLES • Linking Common Core to ELD standards • Access to ELA Common Core • These are NOT OFFICIAL. • These are most likely what the ELD standards will look like that are ACCESS .

13. Speaking and Listening Standards K–5: Comprehension and Collaboration B Answer simple questions with 1-2 word responses. Clarify in primary language then teach structure in English. EI Ask & answer questions by using phrases/simple sentences. I Ask & answer questions for clarification with additional details.

14. Language Standards 6–12: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use B: Identify figurative language (similes, metaphors) through primary language and describe understanding with the aid of a simple sentence frame. E: I Identify figurative language (personification) in various cultural contexts through primary language and describe understanding in a simple sentence or phrase. I: Identify more complex figurative language in oral and written context (verbal irony).

15. Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects 6–12: Research to Build & Present Knowledge B: Write a brief response to a research question that organizes information in charts, tables, etc. using sentence frames. Primary language materials are used. EI: Write a brief summary to a research question that organizes information gathered from various sources in charts, tables, etc. using sentence/ paragraph frames. I: Investigate a topic and write a report that organizes information gathered from primary/secondary sources in charts, tables, etc. using paragraph frames and including citations.

16. ELD Standards Roll out, Fall 2012 • Ensure a roll-out of the Common Core State Standards aligned to the new ELD Standards • Provide opportunities for discussion of how educators are to approach teaching and learning for ELS • Ensure the language proficiency and academic success of ELs with frequent monitoring