Mainstream First-Grade Teachers' Understanding of Strategies for Accommodating the Needs of English Language Learners

The consent decree required that teachers with English Language Learners (ELLs) and responsibility for language arts/English instruction either demonstrate they had successfully taught ELLs before 1990 or complete 300 hours of district training or five college courses to earn an ESOL endorsement. This training or coursework aims to provide teachers with the knowledge and skills to employ instructional strategies for delivering basic subject areas and basic ESOL instruction, thus allowing these students better access to curricula. Hite et al explore how 22 teachers at one grade level perceived the use of these instructional strategies.