In this week's edition of What We're Reading - dual language programs, cultural responsiveness, reaction to Betsy DeVos, and more. Also, check out the latest episode of our Highest Aspirations podcast - we discuss effective family engagement strategies for ELLs with Harvard Graduate School of Education's Stephany Cuevas. 

Invite your colleagues to join the ELL Community, and share the articles below using the hashtag #ELLReads!

Policy and Practice

• Harvard Graduate School of Education's Usable Knowledge has released a valuable set of resources on welcoming newcomers to our schools.

• From Education Week, guest blogger Angela Palmieri outlines seven essential components for successful dual language programs.

• In the final post of a series on DLL data gaps, New America's Janie T. Carnock outlines three key areas for which states need to improve their data collection policies. 

• Chalkbeat reports that New York City will add almost 50 new bilingual programs to help support recent immigrants and promote bilingualism.

• Education Week's Corey Mitchell discusses the response to Betsy Devos potentially eliminating the Federal Office of Language Acquisition.

• In a related, more strongly worded piece from The 74, New America's Conor Williams provides his opinion the Trump Administration's plan.

Teaching and Learning

• In EdSource, Ashley Hopkinson writes about the challenges associated with teaching in "superdiverse" classrooms, but also discusses some of the many benefits. 

• From Education Week Teacher, Boston K-8 principal Andrew Tuite writes about how schools can leverage community mentors to help English Language Learners connect socially.

• The Washington Post spotlights an excerpt of The ELL Teacher's Toolbox, by Larry Ferlazzo and Katie Hull Sypnieski. The excerpt focuses on culturally responsive teaching in the ELL classroom.

• New America's Jenny Muñiz reports on New York City's teachers desire for training on cultural responsiveness and the city's proposal to provide it.

• Education Week takes an international perspective by highlighting 9 ways Canadian teachers support their English Language Learners.

ELL Spotlight

• In Edsurge, Donna Neary writes about her successful project-based learning program that helps turn refugees into high school graduates 

• From The 74, Caroline Phenicie profiles ESL After the Bell, an enrichment program in Washington DC that helps ELLs thrive academically and socially.

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

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