Why is it important for ELLs to receive extra support in school?
The impact on teaching and learning, resulting from Ohio’s increasing numbers of ELL students, is significant. Students are expected to become proficient in English and achieve academic content standards prescribed by the state either in sheltered or mainstream classes. Particularly for ELLs at the secondary level, the academic stakes are much higher than in elementary school, because all students must pass the Ohio Graduation Test to graduate from high school. Also, students who are proficient enough in English to be mainstreamed into content classes with native English speakers, continue to need teachers who are trained to work with them. While many districts have some teachers with training in teaching ESL, many do not have adequate support for content teachers to help ELLs meet the state’s standards of academic achievement. Rarely do content teachers receive training in methods that can make content more accessible to ELLs. In short, content teachers have a need for extensive profe
