Dates:

• Session 1: May 5, 2021
• Session 2: May 12, 2021
• Session 3: May 19, 2021

Description: REL Southwest engaged New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) staff and New Mexico educators in a two-phase process to design a training series to assist teacher implementation of effective strategies supporting American Indian English learner students.

First, REL Southwest completed an evidence review to identify methods specific to American Indian students and effective in incorporating relevant American Indian cultural traditions and pedagogy. Next, REL Southwest and NMPED collaborated on resources that merge understandings from the evidence review with components of the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Facilitator’s Guide, which is aligned with the Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School educator’s practice guide from the What Works Clearinghouse. Staff designed a three-part teacher learning series augmented with selected videos and discussion questions from the Center for Standards and Assessment Implications (CSAI) series Culturally Responsive Instruction for American Indian Students to underscore the strategies described in the evidence review. The first training was conducted virtually in May 2021.

This project addresses a need for high-quality instructional resources specific to American Indian English learners. The results of the project will help strengthen understanding of instructional practices to improve academic English for American Indian English learners.

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