Building off the 2018 webinar series on multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and English learners, REL Northeast & Islands researchers developed and delivered three in-depth workshops for Connecticut educators on how to use data to distinguish between language-based and other learning challenges faced by English learners and how to implement scientific research-based interventions (SRBI) to meet students' needs. The workshops provided five district teams of three to seven educators with focused support and the opportunity to interact closely with one another as they delved into the practice and application of data use for SRBI delivery. The teams identified a specific strategy or tool to employ or an activity to conduct between sessions, and each workshop began with reflections on these activities as well as the identification of next steps.
Session 1: November 19-20, 2018 Hamden, CT, and Hartford, CT Participants reviewed instructional strategies for English learners most appropriate for Tier II interventions and strategized specific steps to implement between Sessions 1 and 2. Key sources for evidence-based practices included the IES Practice Guide, "Teaching Academic Content and Literacy to English Learners in Elementary and Middle School."
Session 2: February 25, 2019 Virtual Session Participants focused on instructional strategies for English learners most appropriate for Tier III interventions. Presenters provided additional resources, including Guiding Questions practitioners can use when determining whether Tier III interventions are appropriate.
