"January 14, 2010 - Public schools in D.C. may soon adopt standards that 21 other states*1 use when teaching students who don't speak English fluently. Nearly 6,000 children in D.C.'s schools are classified as English Language Learners. Some of their teachers instruct by simplifying the language, others use pictures or act out lessons*2. Bonnie Moisan at the Stoddart Elementary School says students often understand the subject matter even though they can't explain it in English. "If you think about this....the student is a fourth grader in his or her country. So we keep them on the same content level, as far as content they're good. We just have to get them to learn the language piece." The D.C. Board of Education is expected to approve the standards which provide teachers a road map of what students are expected to know based on how well they speak English. Kavitha Cardoza reports..."
*1. Is this the WIDA standards that they were using back when I was in DCPS?
"WIDA is a consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners."
*2. Did the teachers quit differentiating instruction after I left?
3... Does this take us another step closer to a national curriculum not only in ESL but GenEd? If so...how do you feel about that?
