Illinois

Professional educators make numerous decisions about their students’ academic needs. To make these decisions most effective, data must be collected and carefully analyzed. Data should help answer key questions: WHO might need help? WHAT kind of help do they need? Is the work WORKING? This webinar discusses research-based strategies for helping educators collect and use assessment data efficiently and effectively to support the decisions and answer the key questions that help every student become a skillful reader.

Structured Literacy is a comprehensive and evidence-based approach for literacy instruction that is based upon language skills and the need to connect oral and written language to enable literacy. It includes foundational skills of reading and writing in addition to the development of oral language and comprehension. In this joint session co-presented by Dr Elsa Cárdenas-Hagan and Dr. Claude Goldenberg, evidence-based practices for the successful development of literacy among English learners will be described. To begin the session, Dr Goldenberg will discuss critical differences between oral and written language and the implications for instruction for ELs / emergent bilinguals; Dr Cárdenas-Hagan will discuss screening, progress monitoring, and instruction at Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Demonstration of effective literacy instruction for English learners that builds upon first language and literacy knowledge for the development of second language literacy will be modeled. Following their presentations, the speakers will engage in a facilitated conversation about structured literacy and assessment for multilingual learners, with plenty of time for audience questions.