Reflecting on the Past: Revisiting Research on How Immigrant Students Benefit Everyone

(I am republishing my top posts from the first half of the year. You can view the full list here)

 

Two years ago, I wrote a post titled “New Study Finds That The Presence Of Immigrant Students In Schools Helps Everybody, But Totally Misses Obvious Reason.”

It discussed a significant study that highlighted a link between the presence of immigrant students and improved academic performance among U.S.-born students. However, the study failed to identify the practical reasons behind this impact.

What the researchers overlooked, perhaps due to not consulting teachers in the classroom, is what I previously mentioned:

Having English Language Learners (ELLs) in classes enhances teaching skills for all educators because effective ELL teaching benefits all students!

I am revisiting this study for two reasons:

Firstly, Education Week recently published a compelling article about it: “Do Immigrant Students Help the Academic Outcomes of U.S.-Born Peers? One Study Says Yes.” Secondly, I discussed this study during a presentation at our staff meeting today.

I can confidently say that most teachers at our school comprehend the main driver behind the study’s findings, as do educators who have experience teaching ELLs, a population that constitutes approximately half of all U.S. teachers.

Dear educational researchers, please engage with teachers in the classroom…

You can access the full study here: link link

— Umut Ӧzek (@uozek) February 4, 2024

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