In this week's edition of What We're Reading: inspiring examples of ELL student and teacher collaboration, celebrating diversity in schools, examining ELL data, and more.

For more great content, check out 3 new episodes of our Highest Aspirations podcast. We chat with our guests about meeting newcomers where they are, cultural responsiveness strategies, and PLNs for ELL educators. 

Join the ELL Community and share the articles below using the hashtag #ELLReads!

ELL Spotlight

• Washington Post education writer Valerie Strauss highlights how being different is an asset at Denver South High School, where more than one-third of students were born outside the United States.

• The Daily Globe in Worthington, OH featured a letter from sixth grade English Language Learners called "A Chance for a Better Life". The letter highlights the dreams and aspirations of these young immigrants.

• From The Daily Journal, Ellevation partner district Vineland City Schools, NJ recently won state honors for their bilingual programs. One of the keys to their success has been building academic knowledge in students' first language.

• The Gazette-Times celebrates the culmination of a program in Corvallis, Oregon that brings together graduating dual immersion students and kindergartners. 

• For some light-hearted, but highly relevant summer reading, Business Insider curated a list of "the most annoying things about the English Language, from the people who are learning it". 

Policy and Practice

• From Education Week, Corey Mitchell summarizes a report by The Migration Policy Institute - "A Guide to Finding and Understanding English Learner Data". 

• The Modesto Bee published an article highlighting the challenges refugees face in seeking education in districts where students can age out of programs.

• UC Santa Cruz research scientist Peggy Estrada presented her team's results on the educational needs and experiences of Latino and immigrant youth in a recent workshop. 

• From The Hechinger Report, Timothy Pratt discusses how DACA students are persevering in higher education despite the uncertainty of their futures in the United States.

Teaching and Learning

• This article from MindShift titled, "Why Teaching English Through Content Is Critical for ELL Students" provides actionable strategies that help educators teach English through content.

• In a piece featured in eSchool News, California English teacher Michael Godsey discusses how podcasts can improve literacy for students at various levels. 

What are you reading? Leave a comment below and share on social media using the hashtag #ELLReads!

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