Transforming Schools for English Learners
A Comprehensive Framework for School Leaders
The author addresses such critical topics as selecting appropriate program models for schools and making data-driven decisions using effective measures of student performance. There are also full chapters on delivering high quality content lessons to ELLs, the importance of parental engagement, and identifying and working with ELLs with learning differences, which includes a detailed discussion of response to intervention.
"The author provides practical suggestions to help school administrators, policymakers, and stakeholders build a school environment where an English language learner program can flourish."
"Every school that has English learners should invest in this book. Because Zacarian has worked in the field of language minority education for more than 20 years, the policies, practices, and structures she recommends are solid. Using vignettes, research, and numerous situated examples, she demonstrates how schools can help English learners thrive and feel fully connected."
“This book addresses issues that school administrators new to EL instruction need to know. Each chapter contains useful tools that deal with student assessment, placement, and monitoring. The included home language survey and descriptions of different tests are very useful. The section on parent engagement offers many practical ideas, as well as the rationale for working more intensely with parents.”
"School administrators, resource facilitators, and classroom teachers will find a wealth of strategies that address the teaching of English language learners. A variety of program models offer options for identification, placement, and classroom instruction that provide research-based, comprehensive solutions to the complex issues involved with educating students. Vignettes and glimpses of classroom practice bring the needs of students and concerns of parents to the fore. Whether a school district has a large population of English learners or is faced with designing an individualized program for just a few, this is a useful toolkit, at once theoretical and practical."
"This book provides school leaders with clear and constructive guidance on how to reenvision schools with growing numbers of English learners. Debbie Zacarian addresses the questions of leaders who realize that for schools that wish to succeed in the 21st century must rethink the organization, curriculum, analysis of data, assessments, and relations with families. The book is attentive to the theoretical underpinnings of second language acquisition as well as the day-to-day challenges facing school leaders."
"This book is an excellent resource for school leaders who want to build an effective learning environment for English language learners. Zacarian covers a variety of topics, including: a summary of federal laws and how to select the right program model for your district; building an effective ESL program; establishing successful relationships with parents; designing content area lessons; and analyzing student performance. Written in a user-friendly style and based on current research, this is the book that every administrator and stake holder should have."
"Dr. Zacarian clearly and succinctly identifies the frequent misunderstandings and misconceptions that can occur between families of English language learners and teachers and administrators. She uses real-life experiences to illustrate the barriers faced by these families, as well as effective solutions in helping these students access college, and helping schools integrate new immigrant families and students."
"This book will help teachers formulate an appropriate program model by using effective data in tandem with parental support to enhance student success. District leaders will find it a valuable navigation tool for meeting the needs of English language learners."
"Debbie Zacarian helped us evaluate our level of ELL compliance and made excellent recommendations. I am certain that any organizations with concerns regarding ELL would benefit greatly from her expertise and her book."
"I love this book! It is a much-needed practical guide. The scenarios are excellent! They are realistic, pertinent, and capture a range of students' and educators' experiences. The text provides a wealth of timely, accurate information, useful suggestions, and many forms, checklists, and examples."
