GLENVIEW, IL. Aug. 23, 2007 – To succeed in schools, English learners (ELs) must master not only English vocabulary and grammar, but also the way English is used in core content classes. Common academic words like microscope, for example, might be familiar to native English speakers, but not to many EL students. To address this need, the Curriculum Professional Development group of Pearson announces “Enhancing Instruction for ELs with The SIOP® Model,” a professional development program that helps educators teach academic content to ELs while promoting their English language development.

The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) Model was developed by Dr. Jana Echevarria, a Professor of Education at California State University, Long Beach; MaryEllen Vogt, Ed.D., Professor Emerita of Education at California State University, Long Beach; and Deborah J. Short, Ph.D., director of Academic Language Research & Training and senior research associate at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) in Washington, D.C.

The model is the outcome of a seven-year research project (1996-2003) conducted for the Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence (CREDE), a national research center funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (now the Institute of Education Sciences). Its purpose was to identify key practices for sheltered instruction and develop a professional development model for teachers to effectively use sheltered instruction. Sheltered instruction is an approach for teaching content to English learners in strategic ways that make the subject matter concepts comprehensible while promoting the students’ English language development.

The new “E nhancing Instruction for ELs with The SIOP® Model” is a scalable district model of the popular SIOP Institutes that Pearson hosts throughout the year. With the new locally-based district training programs, districts can build a sheltered instruction model to address their specific needs, meet Adequate Yearly Progress requirements and improve student achievement.

“One of the main things that sets SIOP apart is that it combines a focus on content with a focus on language instruction. Most professional development models do one or the other but they lack a combined, cohesive approach,” said Beth Wray, CEO of the Achievement Solutions and Curriculum Professional Development groups of Pearson. “The new scalable district model makes the SIOP training even more valuable to districts because it can be tailored to address the specific needs of that district, to take into account their specific populations, their challenges, and the programs they offer.”

With training options for administrators, coaches, and teachers, Enhancing Instruction for ELs can be delivered on-site or through a combination of on-site and online training. The program includes workshops on the needs of ELs and research supporting the SIOP model; SIOP training, implementation and coaching, classroom observation and feedback; and follow-up workshops and progress reviews to reinforce the model. Through the program, educators gain practical skills to collaborate, share and implement robust language objectives and lesson plans school- and district-wide.

About Pearson

The Curriculum Professional Development group of Pearson develops and delivers sustainable district-wide professional learning programs that transform the culture of teaching and result in schools organized for success with increased student achievement and teacher retention. Drawing from a collection of research-based programs, evidence-based practices and program implementation processes, the company's solutions include expanding district and school improvement efforts, optimizing the decision-making process, enhancing instruction and maximizing professional growth, among others. For more information go to www.PearsonAchievement.com.

Pearson is the global leader in educational publishing, assessment, information and services, helping people of all ages to learn at their own pace, in their own way. For students preK-12, Pearson provides effective and innovative curriculum products in all available media, educational assessment and measurement for students and teachers, student information systems, and teacher professional development and certification programs. Pearson’s respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. The company’s comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.