Common Core State Standards:
Implications for English Learners
Magdalena Ruz Gonzalez, M.Ed.
Project Director III
Multilingual Academic Support Unit/ELL
Division of Curriculum and Instructional Services
Ruz-Gonzalez_Magda@lacoe.edu
Bobbi Ciriza Houtchens, M.A.
Consultant
bhoutchens@yahoo.com
http://commoncore.lacoe.edu
Outcomes for Session
• To learn what is currently addressed in
Common Core State Standards as it relates
to English Learners
• To examine samples of “EL access to
Common Core Standards”
AB 124 Fuentes: Academic Content Standards:
English Language Development Standards
• Establishes ELD standards Advisory
Committee responsible for updating,
revising and aligning, by August 31, 2012
• The ELD standards will be aligned to the
Common Core State academic content
standards.
• Committee must include teachers and
administrators with expertise in instruction
English Learners.
ELs Meet High Academic Standards
in Language Arts Common Core
• Access to teachers and personnel at the
school and district levels who are well
prepared to support ELs; building on
strengths and skills;
• Instruction that develops foundational
skills in English and enables ELs to
participate fully in grade-level coursework;
ELs Meet High Academic Standards
in Language Arts Common Core
• Immersed in a variety of literacy-rich
school environments;
• Coursework that prepares ELs for
postsecondary education or the workplace,
is made comprehensible through specific
pedagogical techniques and additional
resources;
ELs Meet High Academic Standards
in Language Arts Common Core
• Opportunities for classroom discourse and
interaction are well-designed to enable
ELs to develop communicative strengths
in language arts;
• Ongoing assessment and feedback guides
learning;
• Provide ELs with native English language
role models and support.
Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical
Discourse and Academic Language: EL Success
• Language switching can be swift, highly
automatic, and facilitate rather than inhibit
solving word problems;
• Instruction should ensure that students
understand the text of word problems
before they attempt to solve them;
Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical
Discourse and Academic Language: EL Success
• Instruction should include a focus on
“mathematical discourse” and “academic
language”.
• Students learn to participate in
mathematical reasoning, not by merely
learning vocabulary, but by making
conjectures, presenting explanations,
and/or constructing arguments;
Mathematics Instruction, Mathematical
Discourse and Academic Language: EL Success
• While vocabulary instruction is important, it
is not sufficient for supporting mathematical
communication.
• Vocabulary drill and practice are not the
most effective instructional practices for
learning vocabulary.
Stanford National Initiative: ELs Meet Common
Core State Standards
• Dr. Kenji Hakuta
• Sponsor meetings, webinars, commission
papers on key topics, collaborate with
local districts
• Create clear specifications and exemplars
of how teachers can foster English
language proficiency as part of subject
matter instruction
• http://ell.stanford.edu
Are We ALL in Agreement?
• Are we all in agreement that ELs need
systematic English language development
through specific ELD standards?
• Are we all in agreement that ELs need
access to content through specific
differentiated instruction and
assessments?
THE NEXT SAMPLES
• Linking Common Core to ELD standards
• Access to ELA Common Core
• These are NOT OFFICIAL.
• These are most likely what the ELD
standards will look like that are ACCESS .
Speaking and Listening Standards K–5:
Comprehension and Collaboration
Kg: Ask and answer
questions in order
to seek help, get
information, or
clarify something
that is not
understood.
1st: Ask and answer
questions about
what a speaker says
in order to gather
additional
information or
clarify something
that is not
understood.
2nd: Ask and answer
questions about
what a speaker says
in order to clarify
comprehension,
gather additional
information, or
deepen
understanding of a
topic or issue.
B Answer simple questions with 1-2 word responses. Clarify in
primary language then teach structure in English.
EI Ask & answer questions by using phrases/simple sentences.
I Ask & answer questions for clarification with additional details.
Language Standards 6–12: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
6th: Demonstrate
understanding of figurative
language, word relationships,
and nuances in word
meanings.
7th: Demonstrate
understanding of figurative
language, word relationships,
and nuances in word
meanings.
a. Interpret figures of speech a. Interpret figures of
(personification) in context. speech (e.g., literary,
biblical, and mythological
allusions) in context.
8th: Demonstrate
understanding of figurative
language,
word relationships, and
nuances in word meanings.
a. Interpret figures of
speech (e.g. verbal irony,
in context.
B: Identify figurative language (similes, metaphors) through primary
language and describe understanding with the aid of a simple
sentence frame.
E: I Identify figurative language (personification) in various cultural
contexts through primary language and describe understanding in a
simple sentence or phrase.
I: Identify more complex figurative language in oral and written
context (verbal irony).
Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies,
Science, and Technical Subjects 6–12: Research to Build &
Present Knowledge
Grades 9-10
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to
answer a question (including a self generated question) or solve
a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate;
synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating
understanding of the subject under investigation.
B: Write a brief response to a research question that organizes information in
charts, tables, etc. using sentence frames. Primary language materials are used.
EI: Write a brief summary to a research question that organizes information
gathered from various sources in charts, tables, etc. using sentence/ paragraph
frames.
I: Investigate a topic and write a report that organizes information gathered from
primary/secondary sources in charts, tables, etc. using paragraph frames and
including citations.
ELD Standards Roll out, Fall
2012
• Ensure a roll-out of the Common Core
State Standards aligned to the new ELD
Standards
• Provide opportunities for discussion of
how educators are to approach teaching
and learning for ELS
• Ensure the language proficiency and
academic success of ELs with frequent
monitoring