2024 IES Conference: Recap and Resources

The Second Annual IES Research and Development Centers Conference on Improving Instruction, Assessment, and Policies for Secondary English Learners Across the Content Areas took place on September 16–17, 2024, in Washington, D.C. George Washington University’s Student Center again served as the conference venue. 

The conference welcomed educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and others interested in sharing insights and strategies for advancing educational practices and policies for secondary English Learners. Sessions focused on improving outcomes in content areas, including math, science, language arts, and social studies. 

Session topics covered teacher education, curriculum design, instruction, assessment, and policy implementation. Special sessions featured senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and multilingual education experts who offered insights into research-driven strategies in English Learner education. 

Staff from the IES Research and Development Centers led discussions and presented the latest research findings and practical strategies for integrating English Learners into educational environments. Attendees had opportunities to connect with the conference leaders and presenters to exchange best practices and explore collaborative solutions to shape the future of multilingual education. 

The Center for the Success of English Learners (CSEL) and the National Research & Development Center to Improve Education for Secondary English Learners co-hosted the event. Both centers thank all participants for their attendance and look forward to hosting next year’s conference to build on this year’s event. This collaborative event encouraged meaningful conversations and underscored the centers’ commitment to supporting English Learners’ success. 

For those unable to attend, access the event resources below. These resources offer strategies for enhancing and supporting instructional practices and equitable learning for all English Learners.

CSEL Instruction

CSEL Conference Presentation

CSEL Conference Presentation.

Download • 13.60MB

CSEL Science Activity Packet

CSEL Science Content Handout

CSEL SS World Gen, Handout

CSEL SS World Gen, Pharaohs Unit

CSEL SS World Gen, Slides ("Enhancing Social Studies Instruction for Secondary Emergent Bilinguals and Their Peers")

Keynotes

Promoting Adolescent Multilingual Learners’ Success in Content Area Classrooms: Matching the Learning Environment to Developmental Stage

Promoting Adolescent Multilingual Learners’ Success in Content Area Classrooms_ Matching t.

Download • 1.90MB

Reconceptualizing ecologically the transformation of educational opportunities for Multilingual Learners

WestEd Instruction

Design Principles for Educative Curriculum Materials and Professional Learning in Mathematics: Lessons from an Iterative Development Project

Design Principles for Educative Curriculum Materials and Professional Learning in Mathemat.

Download • 455KB

The Role of Educative Materials in Ecologies of Learning: Iterative Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of English Language Arts Curriculum

WestEd Policy

Course-Taking Patterns for Dually Identified Students

Course-Taking Patterns for Dually Identified Students.

Download • 780KB

Extra Time as Lever

High school EL students’ access to content: Exclusionary tracking as a systemic barrier to adolescent multilingual student equity

Who Waives EL Services and What Are the Effects of Waiving?

Join Us for the Second Annual IES Research and Development Centers Conference

NOTE: The Second Annual IES Research and Development Centers Conference has passed. We look forward to the opportunity to have another excellent conference next year.

Greetings,

We are delighted to invite you to register to attend the Second Annual IES Research and Development Centers Conference on Improving Instruction, Assessment, and Policies for Secondary English Learners Across the Content Areas, which will take place on September 16 and 17, 2024, in Washington, DC. Please click here to register.

The conference is intended for educators, administrators, policymakers, researchers, and others involved in enhancing education practices and policies. The conference presents exciting opportunities:

• Enhance Education Practices and Policies: Discover innovative approaches to teacher education, curriculum development, instruction, assessment, course-taking, and policy implementation that can significantly improve outcomes for secondary English Learners.

• Learn about Cutting-Edge Research: Participate in discussions with IES Research and Development Centers staff about the latest findings on English Learner students in math, science, language arts, social studies, policy, and supplemental studies.

• Network and Collaborate: Hear directly from leading researchers and field experts. Connect with professionals across research, policy, and instructional roles to share best practices and insights.

• Make an Impact on Student Success: Contribute to the advancement of educational strategies that support English Learners in mastering subject matter content while learning English.

This conference is hosted jointly by the Center for the Success of English Learners (CSEL) and the National Research & Development Center to Improve Education for Secondary English Learners, both funded by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), the independent statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. Both Centers are at the forefront of efforts to improve English Learner education and outcomes.

The conference will be held in the University Student Center at George Washington University, a venue that offers convenient access to metro stations, hotels, restaurants, Smithsonian Museums, and exciting sightseeing opportunities in Washington, DC. Our two-day conference will feature special sessions with senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and experts in multilingual education.

We look forward to seeing you in September!

Warm regards,

Aída Walqui and David Francis

Technology Integration: Language Education for Immigrant Adults

This webinar explored the impact of digital environments on adult immigrants’ language learning and the challenges faced by multilingual individuals in these settings. Jen Vanek, Director of Digital Learning and Research at World Education, discussed research findings from different studies on improving language instruction and digital literacy through technology. Marguerite Lukes, CAL Board member and Director of Research at Internationals Network for Public Schools, and Mathilda Reckford, CAL Adult Language and Communication Specialist, participated in the conversation to examine policy and practice implications for enhancing language education and digital skill development. The webinar covered technologically mediated learning in multilingual contexts and offered insights on digital inclusion, technology recommendations, support and training for teachers, and the role artificial intelligence could play in multilingual education for adult immigrants.

View the resources related to this topic here.