Leslie Babinski

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Bridging English Language Learning and Academics (BELLA) professional development program (previously known as Developing Consultation and Collaboration Skills; DCCS). Despite the large number of English learner (EL) students in K-12 classrooms, a majority of classroom teachers have not had specialized training in instruction for these students. Relatedly, school district administrators have indicated a need for teacher professional ...

In this project, research on adolescent brain development and functioning was integrated into an existing ninth-grade health curriculum, the North Carolina Healthful Living course. The new neuroscience-based health course used pedagogical principles based on social cognitive theory and theories of intelligence and promoted the development of a growth mindset in students (i.e., the belief that brain function, or intelligence, can be improved with practice and effort) and eventual adoption of ...

This project will develop a new professional development program designed to improve English language learners (ELLs) language and literacy skills by building stronger home-school connections, leveraging the expertise of English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers, and increasing elementary school teachers' skills in meeting the instructional needs of ELLs. The Developing Consultation and Collaboration Skills (DCCS) program will include training for ESL specialists in how to help teachers as...

School leaders are seeking professional learning opportunities to support early literacy for children who are English learners, who represent about 15% of kindergarten and grade 1 students in public schools in the United States today. Through a prior IES award, researchers created BELLA (Bridging English Language Learning and Academics), a professional learning program for educators of EL students. While efficacy research through a subsequent IES award demonstrated that the BELLA is effectiv...

The purpose of this study is to design, develop, and test an online professional development (PD) program called Bridging English Language Learning and Academics (BELLA) for improving teacher and student outcomes for working with English Learners (ELs). Teacher outcomes include: 1) increased collaboration between English as a Second Language (ESL) and classroom teachers; 2) implementation of high-impact instructional strategies; and 3) incorporation of students' cultural wealth into the clas...