Newcomer Students LinkedIn Live Series

Across the globe, education system leaders, school leaders, educators, and community partners are working to create learning environments in which students who are new to their countries can thrive. What lessons might education leaders who serve immigrant and refugee students learn from these examples?

Digital Promise’s three-part LinkedIn Live series, “Supporting Newcomer Students and Communities: A Strengths-based Approach,” will explore this question by delving into specific examples from leaders of education systems, schools, and community organizations. From building inclusive systems that center newcomer student needs to working directly with communities to develop a shared vision for supporting newcomer families, this series will equip attendees with tangible insights and approaches that they can implement in their own communities.

Join us for one session or all three; we hope to see you there!

• Session 1: April 29, 12 p.m. ET: Educating Newcomer Students: Different International Models
• Session 2: May 14, 4 p.m. ET: Creating Inclusive School Communities to Support Newcomers
• Session 3: May 21, 4 p.m. ET: Building District-Community Partnerships to Support Newcomer Students

• Equity and Inclusion in Education
• Review of Inclusive Education in Portugal
• Strength through Diversity: Country Spotlight Report for Chile

 

Groups and agencies providing other relevant resources include:

• National Education Association
• Internationals Network
• Fugees Family
• National Newcomer Network
• Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
• Sobrato Curriculum Series
• The New Jersey Department of Education
• Chicago Public Schools
• New York City Public Schools
• Denver Public Schools
• District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General
• California Office of the Attorney General

Due to several circumstances, your newcomer students could be identified as “Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education” (SLIFE), which means they are multilingual learners who have had limited access to consistent schooling, leading to gaps in literacy and content knowledge. Newcomer students with interrupted formal education often face unique challenges, including trauma, unfamiliarity with United States school structures, and differing cultural expectations. To help them catch up with learning, you can follow some of these strategies based on your context and your students’ assets and needs:

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Assessment

• Assess literacy and numeracy skills: Begin with a diagnostic assessment to determine their current levels in reading, writing, and math. Use non-verbal assessments if language is a barrier:
  • Avoid testing newcomer students through web-based assessment tools (like i-Ready) as it can be intimidating for them and misrepresent their skills. You can wait until they are more accustomed to the school environment and then assess them again.
• Understand academic and cultural background: Conduct informal interviews to learn about their prior learning experiences and native language literacy.
  • Create newcomer and multilingual screening guides for teachers to facilitate these conversations with families and students to better understand their educational history and cultural background.

2. Develop a learning plan

• Set short and long-term goals: Establish clear, attainable learning objectives for literacy, math, and content areas.
• Personalized approach: Support your teachers to provide differentiated instruction and targeted support for multilingual learners, which can include the creation of personalized approaches based on a student’s English language proficiency and academic history.
  • Consider extended school days or summer school to provide additional instructional time.

3. Implement Intensive English Language Development (ELD)

• Daily ELD instruction: Allocate at least 60–90 minutes of focused ELD classes daily, emphasizing survival English initially and academic English gradually. Research recommends this time to be focused on explicitly teaching language structures and academic language needed across content areas. The specific number of minutes can be changed depending on the district’s context.
• Sheltered instruction techniques: Use visuals, simplified language, and hands-on activities to teach content without requiring full English proficiency.
  • The SIOP Model emphasizes using visuals, scaffolding, hands-on learning, simplified language, and connecting content to prior knowledge to make academic content comprehensible while promoting English language development.

4. Prioritize foundational literacy and numeracy

• Accelerated reading programs: To help students progress to age-appropriate grade levels, consider implementing accelerated programming, and phonics-based or leveled reading programs to build literacy rapidly.
  • Develop fast-paced curricula targeting literacy and numeracy for newcomers with interrupted education.
  • Support your teachers through professional development and resources.
• Targeted math instruction: Focus on basic arithmetic and problem-solving using visual aids and manipulatives.
  • Using visuals and manipulatives provides hands-on experiences that help students grasp mathematical concepts by linking the concrete to the abstract.

5. Offer extended learning opportunities

Afterschool and summer programs can boost English language development, academic achievement, and social integration for newcomer students.

Consider providing these opportunities free of charge or at a significantly reduced cost, with the option for parents to apply for full scholarships on behalf of their children.

• Afterschool and weekend programs: Focus on homework help and reinforcing literacy and numeracy.
• Summer bridge programs: Provide intensive courses focused on both academic and language skills during breaks.

6. Utilize tech-based learning tools:

• Language apps: Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or ESL platforms like Imagine Learning can supplement ELD, afterschool, and summer programs.
• Math Platforms: Khan Academy or IXL offer visual and interactive math lessons accessible to English learners.

7. Build a network of support

• Peer mentorship: Pair newcomer students with peers who can help them navigate school routines.
• Family engagement: Host workshops for families explaining graduation requirements and how they can support learning at home.
• Community events: Plan events to help newcomer families feel integrated. Creating an empathetic welcoming environment in your community will be key for this effort.

8. Prepare teachers and staff

• Professional development: Train educators on strategies for teaching students with interrupted formal education. Ensure that your educators have the training and support they need.
• Co-teaching models: Consider partnering English learning specialists with content teachers for integrated instruction.

9. Monitor progress and adjust frequently

• Biweekly or monthly assessments: Use formative assessments to track literacy, numeracy, and language development.
• Adapt ILPs: Modify goals and strategies based on assessment data and observed progress.
• Student and parent voice: create channels for newcomer students and parents to be able to communicate their perspectives and needs.

Further Resources:

Department of Education Newcomer Toolkit
Includes chapters on inclusive environments for newcomers, supportive instruction, and family partnerships.

English Language Development (ELD):
Saunders, W., Goldenberg, C., & Marcelletti, D. (2013). English language development: Guidelines for instruction. American Educator, 37(2), 13.

Sheltered Instruction Techniques:
Echevarria, J., Vogt, M., & Short, D. (2017). Making Content Comprehensible for English Learners: The SIOP Model (5th ed.).

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy:
Elevating English Learners: Programs for Newcomer Students (NCELA)

Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm (MALP)
Supports newcomer students, especially those with interrupted learning, to adapt to formal schooling while recognizing their needs and priorities. It helps teachers create and deliver culturally responsive and sustaining instruction.

Colorin Colorado
Bilingual resource library for teachers and families to support English Language Learners (ELLs). Includes resources for vocabulary development, literacy and content instruction.

Khan Academy
Free resources for foundational math and literacy, with multilingual support.

Afterschool programming:
Afterschool Alliance – Start a Program Toolkits
Provides several guiding toolkits from different states on how to start an after school program for ELLs.