Hire and Develop Highly-Qualified/Effective Teachers

RATIONALE

Qualified teachers with specialized training in English Language Learning are needed to build oral language and early literacy skills in the first days and months of students returning to school.

"What's less well known is that English language learners (ELLs) also suffer from a teacher-quality gap (Samson & Collins, 2012)—and for these students, the problem is compounded. Without special preparation, even good teachers may find it difficult to meet the needs of English language learners."

Patricia Gándara & Lucrecia Santibañez

Learn more about the teacher-quality gap impacting emergent bilingual students here.

CONCRETE STRATEGIES

DISTRICT-LEVEL

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Incentivize Advanced Credentials in ESL and Bilingual Instruction

Offer stipends for teachers who earn additional ESL certificates or degrees, incentivizing their engagement with further professional development and training while building long-term capacity.

2. Recruit and Support Effective Teachers

Hire or contract highly qualified bilingual/ESL professionals (e.g., teachers, instructional specialists, counselors, and special programs).
1. 1. - Establish systems of support for newly hired teachers that encourage within- and across-campus collaboration with other teachers (this also increases vertical and horizontal alignment for students) and offer individualized coaching for further development and effectiveness.