2024 IES Conference: Recap and Resources

The Second Annual IES Research and Development Centers Conference on Improving Instruction, Assessment, and Policies for Secondary English Learners Across the Content Areas took place on September 16–17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. George Washington University’s Student Center again served as the conference venue. 

The conference welcomed educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and others interested in sharing insights and strategies for advancing educational practices and policies for secondary English Learners. Sessions focused on improving outcomes in content areas, including math, science, language arts, and social studies. 

Session topics covered teacher education, curriculum design, instruction, assessment, and policy implementation. Special sessions featured senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and multilingual education experts who offered insights into research-driven strategies in English Learner education. 

Staff from the IES Research and Development Centers led discussions and presented the latest research findings and practical strategies for integrating English Learners into educational environments. Attendees had opportunities to connect with the conference leaders and presenters to exchange best practices and explore collaborative solutions to shape the future of multilingual education. 

The Center for the Success of English Learners (CSEL) and the National Research & Development Center to Improve Education for Secondary English Learners co-hosted the event. Both centers thank all participants for their attendance and look forward to hosting next year’s conference to build on this year’s event. This collaborative event encouraged meaningful conversations and underscored the centers’ commitment to supporting English Learners’ success. 

For those unable to attend, access the event resources below. These resources offer strategies for enhancing and supporting instructional practices and equitable learning for all English Learners.

CSEL Instruction

CSEL Conference Presentation

CSEL Conference Presentation

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Download • 13.60MB

CSEL Science Activity Packet

CSEL Science Content Handout

CSEL SS World Gen, Handout

CSEL SS World Gen, Pharaohs Unit

CSEL SS World Gen, Slides ("Enhancing Social Studies Instruction for Secondary Emergent Bilinguals and Their Peers")

Keynotes

Promoting Adolescent Multilingual Learners’ Success in Content Area Classrooms: Matching the Learning Environment to Developmental Stage

Promoting Adolescent Multilingual Learners’ Success in Content Area Classrooms_ Matching t

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Download • 1.90MB

Reconceptualizing ecologically the transformation of educational opportunities for Multilingual Learners

WestEd Instruction

Design Principles for Educative Curriculum Materials and Professional Learning in Mathematics: Lessons from an Iterative Development Project

Design Principles for Educative Curriculum Materials and Professional Learning in Mathemat

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Download • 455KB

The Role of Educative Materials in Ecologies of Learning: Iterative Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of English Language Arts Curriculum

WestEd Policy

Course-Taking Patterns for Dually Identified Students

Course-Taking Patterns for Dually Identified Students

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Download • 780KB

Extra Time as Lever

High school EL students’ access to content: Exclusionary tracking as a systemic barrier to adolescent multilingual student equity

Who Waives EL Services and What Are the Effects of Waiving?

Webinar Recording: CAL’s 8 Fundamental Principles of Effective Adult English Language Instruction

Unlock the power of effective adult English language instruction!

Adult English language education instructors, these two free webinars brought to you by the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) will elevate your teaching skills. Inspire your adult English learners with techniques based on CAL’s Fundamental Principles of Effective Adult Language Education, available here.

⭐️ Webinar 1: Principles 1–4

Discover strategies for adult English language instruction, including learner-centeredness, leveraging learners’ assets, and incorporating all language modalities. Boost English language proficiency with engaging classroom and virtual activities. Click here to follow along with the presentation slides from Webinar 1: Principles 1–4.

⭐️ Webinar 2: Principles 5–8

Enhance your teaching with insights on comprehensible input, developing metacognitive awareness in learners, and creating a supportive learning environment. Build an inclusive and engaging English language learning experience with a toolkit of excellent techniques. Click here to follow along with the presentation slides from Webinar 2: Principles 5–8.

Webinar Recording: Critical Biliteracies without Borders—Translanguaging and Culturally Sustaining Approaches

The Center for Applied Linguistics' webinar series titled "Research to Policy: Critical Conversations in Language Education" highlights researchers, practitioners, and policymakers at the forefront of the fight for educational equity for multilingual learners and culturally diverse populations in the United States. The series addresses the persistent challenge of breaking down barriers for multilingual learners. The 30-minute episodes look at the intersection of educational equity and student assessment, teacher education, early childhood education, students with disabilities, and more. The discussions are open to the public and provide valuable insights into the latest research and policies that move language education forward. Watch "Critical Biliteracies without Borders: Translanguaging and Culturally Sustaining Approaches" below.