After last week's class, I realized that I needed to refocus my search for information towards how I, as an educator, can support families of ELL students with disabilities. This week's search has led me to the following website: www.colorincolorado.org - "A bilingual site for families and educators of English Language Learners."
The first article I read was titled "Working with Community Organizations to Support ELL Students," and it provided information about resources that would be helpful to the families of ELL students, as well as for schools and teachers of ELL students. The article suggests that teachers have valuable resources available in the form of translators, cultural liaisons, and experts on historical and political backgrounds to help them bridge the language barrier and become familiar with the culture and background of ELL students. It also provides a list of ways that schools can support ELL students and their families such as after-school tutoring, medical services, and social services. This was followed by a list of links of organizations that work on behalf of different immigrant communities. One link that looked interesting was for the Logan Square Neighborhood Association (LSNA) which is a "nationally recognized model of successful collaboration between a community organization and public schools, creating a community-centered school that serves immigrant families."
After the discussion we had in class last week, I realized how important it is to know what resources are available so that I can help the families of my students get the support and help they need. I think this website is a great resource because it also provides information about resources and organizations according to the state you live in. I found more information about specific ELL resources for the state of Ohio at the following link: http://www.colorincolorado.org/web_resources/by_state/ohio/. I was surprised to learn that as of 2007-2008 the amount of ELL students in Ohio was 38,000, which was a 174% increase over the 1997-1998 school year! I was also surprised to learn that the top five languages spoken by Ohio ELL students were Spanish, Pennsylvania Dutch, German, French, and Cushite. I had never heard of Pennsylvania Dutch or Cushite before. This link provided an extensive list of resources for state ELL resources, ELL Identification, ELL Instruction, statewide standards-based assessment, and statewide organizations. I would definitely recommend this website for all teachers and families of ELL students.
I think the first website you posted is very interesting. I agree that its important as an educator to know the resources that are available to provide accommodations for the child and to help the family cope. Last class was really eye-opening to me because I have never been in a situation where I needed services and I realized how I don't know much about them as a result. This is something I will have to look more into as well as these other languages in the top five languages. I have never heard of Cushite. I wonder if there are translators available for students who speak this language or if they are rare since I have never heard of it myself.
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