Jill Burstein

Postsecondary-level writing challenges students and the instructors who teach it. In this project, the researchers addressed this challenge by exploring writing skills and achievement, the malleable factors that predict writing quality, and their links to postsecondary success. The researchers explored three different factors or predictors of writing quality. The first was writing domain knowledge, such as use of correct writing conventions (grammar, spelling, etc.), topic development and co...

The purpose of this project is to develop a technology-rich instructional program that will improve the language skills and comprehension of content-area texts of English language learners (ELLs). The project is motivated by the awareness that ELLs who may already be struggling to acquire grade-level English language skills may be additionally challenged by the new text demands likely to enter the curriculum as a result of the Common Core State Standards. This project, informed by a prior IE...

English language learners (ELLs) are taught both by specialists and by regular classroom teachers. Many states acknowledge that all teachers need to know how to support the unique needs of ELLs. The purpose of this project is to develop a teacher professional development curriculum and software package that will improve teachers' ability to instruct their ELL students and prepare materials designed to support students learning English.