Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability

Grade Level: Middle School (6-8)

The Assessment Transition Communications Toolkit

This toolkit is one of two developed by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to help state and school districts communicate testing information before, during, and after the assessment window this spring. This toolkit is for states transitioning to a new assessment this year. (For states continuing with a second year of the […]

The Story of an Hour (8th Grade Unit)

This unit is based on “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin. The unit was created for use with eighth-grade English language learners. Activities include interactive readings, embedded vocabulary instruction, mini lessons on literacy concepts such as irony, and an opportunity for students to summarize and paraphrase the story.

Welcome Kit for New ELLs

This article is written from an educator’s perspective and provides practical suggestions, and additional resource links, for creating materials to welcome newcomer English learner students into school settings. Included is a checklist of materials and resources to include in a welcome kit, as well as links to additional web-based resources for more printable lessons, books, and […]

How to Support ELL Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFEs)

This article is written to inform educators about the challenges and unique needs of students with interrupted formal education, a group which can also include newcomer English learners. The authors define the population of students with interrupted formal education, discuss what makes these students’ needs unique, and provide concrete ideas for school-wide support initiatives and […]

How to Support Refugee Students in the ELL Classroom

This article provides information about key differences between immigrant and refugee children, and outlines areas of challenge faced by refugees that can be addressed by schools. The article is followed by a list of practical, web-based resources for educators and administrators seeking to support refugee children and families. As refugee children are also often newcomer […]

Academic Language and ELLs: What Teachers Need to Know

From the website: “This article written by Colorín Colorado Manager Lydia Breiseth helps educators understand the role that academic language plays in their classrooms and in ELL student success. The article also includes information on social vs. academic language, as well as numerous examples of the different kinds of academic language needed for all students […]