State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces New
Publication to Help Improve Instruction for
English Learners and Close the Achievement Gap
SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the release of a new publication aimed at helping to improve instruction for English-learner students. The publication, Improving Education for English Learners: Research-Based Approaches, was developed by an invited group of prominent scholars.
"Closing the achievement gap is the top priority of my administration, and I am proud that my department is making available a publication that will help address this challenge," O'Connell said. "The academic achievement gap between students who speak a language other than English at home and other students, as represented by test scores, dropout rates, and college admissions and completion rates, is among the most persistent and pressing challenges facing public schools nationwide. Although the achievement gap exists everywhere in the United States, in California it affects a significantly large population of students.
"I have asked educators across the state and colleagues across the country to work with us to better understand and address the achievement gap. I am pleased that nationally recognized scholars have synthesized the best available research for improving educational outcomes for English learners."
Improving Education for English Learners: Research-Based Approaches offers a comprehensive, user-friendly, review, and analysis of recent research to inform and improve instructional practices in order to help English learners, who currently constitute one in four of California's K-12 public school students.
The publication is available for purchase from the California Department of Education (CDE) through the Educational Resources Catalog Web site at Educational Resources Catalog - Publications, or by contacting Erin Heath, Sales Lead, CDE Press Sales Department, by phone at 916-322-8331 or by e-mail at eheath@cde.ca.gov.