Expanding Literacy Instruction by Tutoring English Learners: Project ELITE
Rationale
At the first anniversary of school closures due to COVID-19, nearly half of the K–12 students in the U.S. were attending schools that were either fully remote or offering hybrid instruction (Pier et al., 2021). Although many educators have worked hard to provide quality remote learning environments for students, these efforts have proven to be insufficient (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). Even before the pandemic, many English learners (ELs) needed additional support to meet grade level expectations. As a result of the pandemic and shift to learning from home, this additional support is more important than ever.
To support English Learners in mastering core academic content, the American Federation of Teachers sponsored Project ELITE. The purpose of Project ELITE is to enhance EL learning through tutoring with digital learning resources. Project ELITE staff include Diane August, Principal, and Jessica Debski, Project Coordinator, affiliated with D. August and Associates, and AFT National Trainers, Areli Schermerhorn, Becky Corr, Melissa Labossiere, and Susan Lafond. A train-the-trainer model is used whereby facilitators are trained to instruct tutors who may be teachers, school-related professionals, or community members. Tutors provide one-on-one or small-group instruction to support ELs’ language and literacy development using digital learning resources. The target student population is ELs in grades 1-5.
The methods used to support ELs are evidence-based. Evidence-based means that interventions that have used these methods produce better outcomes for students, including ELs, than interventions that did not use these methods. Outcomes vary depending on method and range from stronger foundational reading skills to enhanced academic language, comprehension, and writing. The evidence for the methods used in ELITE comes from research reported in U.S. Department of Education Practice Guides, a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine Consensus report, and other relevant research. Funds from the American Rescue Plan can be used to implement this high-quality tutoring.
Tutor Training
The training consists of two parts, each part takes approximately four hours, for a total of eight hours.
Topics include the following:
- Planning lessons
- Identifying factors that make text challenging to comprehend
- Selecting and instructing academic vocabulary
- Scaffolding with visual and linguistic supports
- Building background knowledge
- Supporting close reading of literary and informational texts
- Strengthening writing
- Monitoring progress with formative assessment
- Facilitating parent/adult caregiver communication with school personnel and support for children’s literacy development
- Implementing professional learning communities
Project resources include the following:
- A Participant Workbook that includes directions, worksheets, and examples for all activities covered in the training. The workbook also includes a copy of the model and practice texts.
- An ELITE Tutor Handbook (PDF) that includes key strategies and tips for each teaching session as well as appendices with handouts, templates, and reference materials.
- Student-Facing and Family-Facing slides that support tutors, parents, and adult caregivers in enhancing ELs’ language and literacy development. The family- facing slides also support parents and adult caregivers in communicating with children’s school staff.
There is a set routine for each training session that provides many opportunities for interactions between participants and presenters. Participants are assigned to a small group for the duration of the training. The presenter(s) share information and then explain the small-group activities. Participants collaborate in breakout groups. Using Jamboard, they record their ideas and work, which they present during whole group discussions.
Download Tutor Training flier.
Training for Facilitators
The 20-hour training prepares facilitators who in turn train district- and school-level staff who prepare tutors. The training is designed to be delivered over five days
Topics include the following:
- Planning lessons
- Identifying factors that make text challenging to comprehend
- Selecting and instructing academic vocabulary
- Scaffolding with visual and linguistic supports
- Building background knowledge
- Supporting close reading of literary and informational texts
- Strengthening writing
- Monitoring progress with formative assessment
- Facilitating parent/adult caregiver communication with school personnel and support for children’s literacy development
- Implementing professional learning communities
- Optional capstone activity in which participants design a literacy lesson for ELs
Project resources include the following:
- PowerPoint slides, Preparation Checklists, Set-Up Guides, and Facilitator Guides to support presenters in delivering the training sessions.
- Pre-made Jamboards to use for activities.
- A Participant Workbook that includes directions, worksheets, and examples for all activities covered in the training. The workbook also includes a copy of the model and practice texts.
- An ELITE Tutor Handbook (PDF) that includes key strategies and tips for each teaching session as well as, appendices with handouts, templates, and reference materials.
- Student-Facing and Family-Facing slides that support tutors, parents, and adult caregivers in enhancing ELs’ language and literacy development. The family facing slides also support parents and adult caregivers in communicating with children’s school staff.
- A Participant Survey that can be copied and used after the training.
There is a set routine for each training session that provides many opportunities for interactions between facilitators and participants. Participants are assigned to a small group for the duration of the training. The facilitator(s) share information and then explain the small-group activities. Participants collaborate in breakout groups. Using Jamboard, they record their ideas and work, which they present to the whole group.
Download Training for Facilitators flier.
For more information about how to schedule a Project ELITE Facilitator or Tutor Training for your local, school or district, please contact NYSUT’s Education & Learning Trust at 800-528-6208 or elt@nysut.org.
