H.D. Cooke Pilot Program

Intensive Professional Development for K-3 Teachers to Improve the Reading Comprehension of English Language Learners

Conducted at HD Cooke Elementary School, a District of Columbia public school in which 48% of those enrolled are ESL students. The school serves many students who are not currently reaching grade-level literacy standards. One indicator of the need to improve student reading achievement is the school's spring 2001 SAT-9 reading scores which showed that 80% of all students scored at the Basic and Below Basic levels.

The goal of the professional development program is to improve the teaching of reading for struggling readers, especially students who are English language learners (ELLs).

Strategies include:

• diagnostic assessment, analysis of diagnostic data to improve instruction,
• instruction tailored to ELLs' language development stages, and
• the use of small group instruction to meet students' needs effectively.

In addition, an important component of the professional development program is the use of an onsite literacy coach to support on-site consultation with participating educactors on the use of effective approaches to teach literacy to ELLs.