Districts should clearly articulate the EL leader with full contact details, use consistent terminology, and describe programs and policies on websites¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 4 claims (3 for, 1 mixed) · 1 study (1 associational), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 4 claims rest on one study

Description¶

This strategy, offered by the article's authors for communications directors, web developers, and EL program staff, directs districts to make their websites and communications outlets more navigable. Districts should "Clearly articulate the leader or director of English Learner programs and services, and always include a name, title, direct phone number, and email contact information," use consistent terms for students and programs, provide clear descriptions of programs and the federal and state policies they address, and offer accessible high-quality translation of site content that augments rather than replaces interpretation services.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• A named leader or director of English Learner programs and services with name, title, direct phone number, and email contact information
• Consistent terms describing students and programs across district communications

Constraints¶

• Translated website information should augment rather than replace robust interpretation services for events, written communications, and telephone conversations

Target Learners¶

• Secondary English Learners and their families

Target Learning Goals¶

• Equitable access to information about English Learner programs and services

Claims¶

• District websites rarely specify which department or administrator oversees services for English Learners [+W]
• Contact information for district EL leaders is often incomplete, and few web-form or superintendent emails receive responses [+W]
• Districts use no consistent way of referring to English Learner programs and their offices [+W]
• English Learner programs and services across districts are led by administrators with varied titles, many without apparent links to English Learners [~W]

Related Strategies¶

• Train gatekeeper staff who answer calls, emails, and visits so they understand EL program structures and points of contact

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Palacios, M., Kibler, A., Farren Burho, J., Garrett Sandstead, M., Wiger, S., & Woodruff, K. (2022). Who is in charge of English Learner services? Lessons learned from a national co-teaching and collaboration study. WestEd: National Research & Development Center to Improve Education for Secondary English Learners. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED625797