The Question of ELD Curriculum

So school will be starting up very soon. In fact, in some places in the country, they start next week! (Again, disregard if you are on a year-round schedule). One of the questions that I hear very often, particularly as a new year dawns and teachers are reminded of all they have to do is: "What materials do I have for my ELL students?"

A fair question. But first, let's talk about the difference between state-adopted and supplementary curricula/materials/programs. The former is the officially "sanctioned" curriculum/program that the state somehow deemed fit, i.e. rigorous and "scientifically based" (I will hold my sarcasm) per the requirements of No Child Left Behind.

State-Adopted Curriculum

The still official California ELD curriculum is "Into English," soon to be entering into it's third decade (end of the 90s, through '00s and it's almost 2010!)

Yes, its starting to come back, isn't it?

However, now, there are choices- and plenty of textbook companies waiting at the cash register for orders. Next year is an "adoption year" for the state, in which a new curriculum will be chosen from a list that made the NCLB/state cut. So, next year, districts throughout the state- hopefully yours included- will create adoption committees of classroom teachers and maybe others to evaluate the curriculum available and determine what their district will choose to adopt. The law requires that each comittee create its own evaluation rubric, although there are state guidelines for suggestions.

Supplementary Curriculum

As you can imagine, some districts have actually adopted supplementary curriculum in the interim, as they have realized that Into English does not provide enough rigor, materials or comprise a complete program that would serve the needs of ELL students at all five proficiency levels. They also became concerned and frustrated that the state has not seemed to give ELD the importance it seemed to be giving it in the late '90s. In any case, you may have heard of Santillana's Intensive English, and Ballard & Tighe's The Carousel of Ideas among others as examples of supplementary ELD curriculum.

Knowing is Half the Battle

So as you start daydreaming of what you will be teaching in the upcoming school year, also ask yourself what you will be teaching with. If you don't have ELD curriculum, what have you used in the past? If you do, realize it may be replaced soon. In any case, this is a good opportunity to become informed, maybe participate in the adoption process, and serve as an advocate and voice for your students and colleagues who may not be as aware of the "larger context" that we operate in.

Every instructional decision we make, the materials we use and how we deliver all reflect our values, beliefs and the political constraints under which we operate.

Till next time!

- W