Leadership for English Learners

Researchers and practitioners alike have worked to develop principles to influence the educational context into one which realizes the direct attention and according action necessary to equitably meet the needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students, or English Learners. These principles, found throughout the research literature in the language development and educational leadership fields, serve as foundation to guide educational decision makers as they organize, implement, improve, and evaluate instructional programs and services. This chapter provides several of those principles, in addition to a specific focus on the use of Professional Learning Communities, that have been identified as essential elements of such programs. These practices, though applicable for larger districts, are written specifically with the smaller districts in mind.