Views from Teachers of Sheltered English Immersion in the Post Proposition 203 Era

Abstract

The purpose of this the study was to investigate the ways in which teachers are responding to the implementation of Proposition 203, and how they perceive their abilities to meet the needs of the English Language Learner (ELL) students in their classes. The research was conducted in the form of a case study of four teachers nested in the results of a survey given to Kindergarten-third grade teachers throughout a southern Arizona school district. Results of the case study data collection were compared with those from the survey. The data indicates the following four conclusions:1. Implementation of instructional strategies in SEI classes varies, regardless of the endorsement status or experience of the teacher2. Teachers more easily address the needs of less proficient students than they do intermediate level students3. Teachers use of data and resources to support their instruction of ELL students has been uneven4. The influence of multiple reform efforts has had a confounding effect on the implementation of SEI at both the administrative and classroom levels.The results of the study imply that districts will need to conduct consistent training on the implementation of sheltered English instruction and administration will need to follow the training with monitoring and coaching of teachers to ensure that instruction meets the academic and language needs of ELL students.