Los Angeles – In their recently released study, Lucrecia Santibañez and Patricia Gándara, both professors of education in the UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies, analyze data from a survey distributed among secondary teachers in a large urban school district  in order to examine how well prepared the teachers feel to teach English Learners.

Across the nation, nearly all teachers can expect to have English Learner students in their classrooms. The challenges of teaching English Learners are particularly acute in the nation’s secondary schools. There is evidence suggesting that the preparation to teachers ELs is generally weak for all school levels, but more so for secondary school teachers. Without special preparation, even good teachers may find it difficult to meet the needs of ELs, and many secondary EL teachers note that the preparation and support they most want and need is the least available to them. This study also points out that the resources to assist these teachers may be in greater supply than is apparent.

To read the full report, go here.