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And Justice for ELs
Foreword by Margarita Espino Calderón
And Justice for ELs is a resource every school leader must read right away—for that matter, keep within arm’s reach because you’re certain to refer to it constantly. Ayanna Cooper, a former U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, has “been there, done that” and is now prepared to share with you how best to translate today’s federal mandates into actionable steps for ensuring the civil rights of our nation’s multilingual learners.
Because it is impossible to provide specific advice or guidance for every possible situation, Ayanna focuses on the “need-to knows” for making informed decisions within your own building:
- Eight questions you must ask—and how to obtain answers—before planning English language development services
- The most common EL program models, with special emphasis on scheduling, along with specific challenges and appropriate staffing
- The why and how of evaluating English language education, regardless of the evaluation tool, and ways to facilitate conversations with teachers before and after observation
- How to determine the type of professional learning that will have the greatest impact in your unique context
- Recommendations for establishing productive relationships with linguistically diverse families and communities
- Just about every tool you could possibly need, including a glossary of acronyms, useful advocacy organizations, and templates for supporting professional learning
But what you’ll love most is the way Ayanna “keeps it real.” Every chapter is framed around a “What Would You Do?” scenario, for which she ultimately provides an answer(s) as well as guiding questions to help you think through the issues. Take a look for yourself. We know you’ll agree that And Justice for ELs is without question a one-of-a-kind resource.
“And Justice for ELs is an excellent guide for practitioners who seek to provide their English learners with high-quality instruction in all subject areas. Too often such students are relegated an education that marginalizes them academically and fails to develop their native language skills. We can and must do a better job for these students, and in this book Ayanna Cooper shows us how.”
~Pedro A. Noguera
- Grade Level: PreK-12
- ISBN: 9781544388144
- Published By: Corwin
- Year: 2020
- Page Count: 152
- Publication date: September 24, 2020
Price: $39.95
Description
And Justice for ELs is a resource every school leader must read right away—for that matter, keep within arm’s reach because you’re certain to refer to it constantly. Ayanna Cooper, a former U.S. Department of State English Language Specialist, has “been there, done that” and is now prepared to share with you how best to translate today’s federal mandates into actionable steps for ensuring the civil rights of our nation’s multilingual learners.
Because it is impossible to provide specific advice or guidance for every possible situation, Ayanna focuses on the “need-to knows” for making informed decisions within your own building:
- Eight questions you must ask—and how to obtain answers—before planning English language development services
- The most common EL program models, with special emphasis on scheduling, along with specific challenges and appropriate staffing
- The why and how of evaluating English language education, regardless of the evaluation tool, and ways to facilitate conversations with teachers before and after observation
- How to determine the type of professional learning that will have the greatest impact in your unique context
- Recommendations for establishing productive relationships with linguistically diverse families and communities
- Just about every tool you could possibly need, including a glossary of acronyms, useful advocacy organizations, and templates for supporting professional learning
But what you’ll love most is the way Ayanna “keeps it real.” Every chapter is framed around a “What Would You Do?” scenario, for which she ultimately provides an answer(s) as well as guiding questions to help you think through the issues. Take a look for yourself. We know you’ll agree that And Justice for ELs is without question a one-of-a-kind resource.
“And Justice for ELs is an excellent guide for practitioners who seek to provide their English learners with high-quality instruction in all subject areas. Too often such students are relegated an education that marginalizes them academically and fails to develop their native language skills. We can and must do a better job for these students, and in this book Ayanna Cooper shows us how.”
~Pedro A. Noguera
Author(s)

Ayanna C. Cooper
Table of Contents
Foreword by Margarita Espino Calderón
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction
Chapter 1: English Learners in Your School and What You Need to Know and Do to Support Them
Scenario: Awareness and Action for All ELs
Knowing Your ELs
Urgency in Action
Assets-Based, Culturally Responsive Schools
Supporting ELs: Eight Important Questions
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 2: Program Models for English Learners: What’s Happening in Your School?
Scenario: Selecting Appropriate Service Models for English Learners
Adhering to Federal Guidance
Program Models
Assessing Program Models for Efficacy
Staffing
Professional Learning
Communicating With Parents
When Parents Opt Out of Language Support Services
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 3: Evaluating Teachers of English Learners—Conversations Beyond the Rubric
Scenario: Needs improvement, Meets, Exceeds, or Not Applicable
Conversations Beyond the Rubric
Look Fors: Key Considerations
Articulating Needs to Support ELs
Supporting Preservice Teachers
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 4: Action Steps for Job-Embedded Professional Learning With a Focus on English Learners
Scenario: A Program by Any Other Name Is Not the Same
A PL Cycle of Inquiry
PL Action Steps
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Chapter 5: Partnering With Parents of English Learners
Scenario: Helping Parents Analyze Their Child’s English Language Proficiency Report
Connecting Families and Community
Parent Communication Preferences
Helping EL Families Understand the Academic Calendar
Scenario: Early Release/Late Pick-Up
Grade Level Placements of ELs and What Parents Need to Know
Bullying
Scenario: Bullying in Elementary School
Supporting Your Staff to Build Positive Relationships With EL Families
Bringing It All Together
Follow-up Questions
Further Guidance and Support Resources
References
Afterword
Index
Reviews
"And Justice for ELs is an excellent guide for practitioners who seek to provide their English learners with high quality instruction in all subject areas. Too often such students are relegated an education that marginalizes them academically and fails to develop their native language skills. We can and must do a better job for these students and in this book Ayanna Cooper shows us how. Written in a clear and straight forward manner, this book will be an invaluable resource for educators who seek to make a difference."Pedro A. Noguera
Distinguished Professor of Education Faculty and Director of the Center for the Transformation of Schools, UCLA Graduate School of Education & Information Studies
"School leaders will appreciate that Dr. Cooper's text takes them beyond legal compliance and moves their school toward real equity, excellence, and meaningful engagement for their English learners. Her essential questions will promote action focused conversations that move the needle significantly towards justice and excellence for all."Tim Boals
WIDA Founder and Director
"Dr. Ayanna Cooper’s And Justice for ELs is a must-read for school leaders and other educators who wish to move their schools and districts from equity to excellence in order to fully serve their ELs. Framed in research, law, and policy, yet rooted in practical actions, this book will provide a clear path to educators who desire to do what’s right and just for their students and families."Diane Staehr Fenner
Author of "Unlocking Englisher Learners' Potential" and President of SupportEd Consulting
"Dr. Ayanna Cooper has made an incredible contribution to the field of education. And Justice For ELs equips educational leaders with the knowledge and confidence to create sustainable change as schools across the United States strive to meet the unique needs of English Learners."Sharon H. Porter, Ed.D.
Executive Director, Next In Line to Lead Aspiring Principal Leadership Academy
The book is broad enough for a wide range of contexts to benefit from and yet specific enough for leaders to build their own tailor-made professional learning plans. Ayanna Cooper extends a hand of empowerment to school leaders who have often been left out of the conversation. Dr. Cooper brings to her work not only her expertise in TESOL, but her experience as a teacher, teacher educator, and consultant."
"Far too often English Language Learners (ELLs) are viewed as a ‘problem’ that drains resources for the mainstream. Dr. Cooper turns this assumption inside out with a thoroughly asset-based perspective: ELLs and their families bring a rich array of language and cultural diversity to classrooms and schools. But clearly, there is work to be done to create the equitable schools in which ELLs can thrive. The book is for school leaders and provides a state-of-the-art working tour in what is involved in advocating for linguistically diverse learners with responsiveness and flexibility.Elfrieda Lepp-Kaethler, Ph.D., ExA.DipThe book is broad enough for a wide range of contexts to benefit from and yet specific enough for leaders to build their own tailor-made professional learning plans. Ayanna Cooper extends a hand of empowerment to school leaders who have often been left out of the conversation. Dr. Cooper brings to her work not only her expertise in TESOL, but her experience as a teacher, teacher educator, and consultant."
Associate Professor of TESOL, Providence University College & Theological Seminary, Canada
"Every educator is struggling with supporting ELs in a systemic, sustainable way. This book simplifies what’s necessary while advocating for a sense of urgency to review data, assess models, and support EL teachers utilize best practices and ongoing professional learning."Dana Salles Trevethan
Superintendent, Turlock Unified School District, Turlock, CA
"This book provides campus and district leadership with clearly defined reasons for supporting an equitable campus program for all learners especially EL’s. The scenarios and guiding questions are useful in initiating relevant discussion and provoking thoughtful discussions. Ayanna Cooper writes in a manner that will enhance EL advocacy for leaders regardless of EL experience. "Joseph Cerna
Elementary Principal and Adjunct Professor of Educational Leadership, Fort Sam Houston Elementary and Texas A&M San Antonio
"A great resource for school leaders and English Language Directors. This book is a complete resource to assist with launching or enhancing an English Language Program in any school.”Laura Schaffer Metcalfe
Education Faculty, Grand Canyon University, AZ
"And Justice For All is a rich and relevant body of scholarship bent towards an arc of educational justice and equity for our nation’s most marginalized learners. Dr. Cooper challenges educators to realize the power of language and literacy as necessary levers to academic liberation. This text should be required reading and professional development for all educators, pre-service and beyond, who benefit from pragmatic pedagogy, consultancy, and practices designed to elevate how we educate ELs."Craig Martin
2018 Nationally Distinguished Principal, 2018 MA Elementary Principal of the Year Executive Director, Bridge Boston Charter School
"This book is a practical and useful tool for building administrators and all who are interested in assessing their current models for supporting EL learners with an eye to improving their programs. It’s practical and easy to read with great suggestions that you can use and implement immediately. "Marianne Lucas Lescher,
School Principal, Kyrene Traditional Academy, AZ
"This book highlights the importance of administrators developing the skills, supports, and structures in order to support English Learners to achieve academic success and strengthen wellbeing. Cooper presents an array of considerations for administrators including: reflecting on personal knowledge, identifying areas for personal learning, building staff capacity and recognizing this must be through a job-embedded model, staffing, targeting instruction to reduce linguistic gaps for learners, and working to support parents with information and collaborating as partners."Maryam Hasan
Vice Principal, Toronto District School Board
"This book offers a compelling message of hope for our linguistically diverse learners. An easy read for busy educators and a resource for administrators. This is the one tool needed that is research based and proven to enhance the professional learning model of one’s organization to support student achievement. "Debra Paradowski
Associate Principal, Arrowhead Union High School, WI
"This is an easy to read and easy to implement book. Each chapter is carefully broken down and easy to read. Educators will find a lot of useful ideas within each chapter. The questions that are posed as a way of taking inventory of what you are currently doing in your school is extremely helpful and easy to use."Lindsay Morhart
Teacher, Regina Catholic School Division, Canada
And Justice for All: Creating and Sustaining Equitable Schools with English Learners is a must-have book. In this lively how-to for teaching ELs equitably and successfully, Ayanna Cooper provides a practical approach to developing best-practices in schools. Her step by step method, written clearly and succinctly, asks important questions, explores crucial answers, shares instructive anecdotes, and proposes familiar scenarios. She leads the reader to consider the broad possibilities of good instruction for ELs as well as the details of implementing evidence-based programs. Dr. Cooper's style draws us in as if she were sitting across from us at a coffee shop describing best practices. Her conversation with us in the book is necessary, important, and fun to readPeter Kozik
Keuka College
Other Titles in: Bilingual/ELL Learners | Cultural Competence | Leadership
For Instructors
Related Resources
- Access to companion resources is available with the purchase of this book.