2007 Campus-Community Partnerships
Closing the Academic Language Gap for English Language Learners Transitioning
from
Pre-Kindergarten to Kindergarten
| Awardee: | Alison Bailey, Associate Professor & H. Margaret Heritage Graduate School of Education & Information Studies |
| Partner: | Para Los Niños |
Abstract: The proposed project seeks to support young English language learners (ELL) by refining and providing educators pre-K and kindergarten academic language instruction to ensure that children have the language skills necessary to achieve future success in academics and ultimately, in life. Specifically, we will create a pilot demonstration project at the Family Learning Complex of Para Los Niños (PLN) that is based on scientific research and best practices to promote primary language literacy (Spanish) that is based on scientific research and best practices to promote through instruction in English in subject matter areas (e.g., science). The project brings together pre-schoo with a model curricula and pedagogy to close gaps inl and kindergarten practitioners from PLN and UCLA researchers with expertise in early childhood education, reading and language acquisition, assessment, and professional development. For the duration of the project this team will document curriculum and pedagogy in order to develop the model for future educators to identify gaps in instructional delivery and implement effective academic programming. This will promote access and achievement for ELL students in science and, with modifications and additional support for expansion in the future, in other academic disciplines such as math and social studies.
