Study Description

Task Order 27
Study of Digital Learning Resources for
Instructing English Learner Students
Task 4.4 (Part 20) Study Description

July 11, 2016

Submitted to:
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development

Submitted by:
Westat
1600 Research Boulevard
Rockville, Maryland 20850-3129
(301) 251-1500

Study of Digital Learning Resources for
Instructing English Learner Students
Task 4.4 (Part 20) Study Description

Prepared by:
Annette Zehler
Adrienne von Glatz
Karin Katterfeld
Jennifer Flynn
Eva Chen
Mihiri Silva
Westat
Philip Vahey
Savitha Moorthy
Daniela Torre
Kea Vogt
SRI International
Yesim Yilmazel-Sahin
OneWorld Linguistic Consulting, LLC
Michael Jay
Educational Systemics

Study of Digital Learning Resources (DLRs) for
Instructing English Learner Students

Westat and SRI International, and partners OneWorld Linguistic Consulting (OLC) and Educational
Systemics (ES), are conducting the Study of Digital Learning Resources (DLRs) for Instructing English
Learner Students on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education, Policy and Program Studies Services.
The goal of this effort is to understand how DLRs are used in instructing English learner (EL) students,
including questions such as the following:
 How do districts and teachers identify and select DLRs for instructing EL students?
 What are the types and characteristics of DLRs that are used to support EL students?
 How do teachers of EL students use DLRs in the instruction of EL students?
 How do districts and teachers define and measure the success of DLRs for instructing
EL students?
 What professional development or coaching in use of DLRs do teachers receive, and
which professional development approaches do they report as most helpful?
 What are barriers to and supports for the use of DLRs in instructing EL students?
 How could developers and practitioners improve the usefulness of DLRs for instructing
EL students?
The two-year study effort consists of several components. First, market research will be conducted to
identify DLRs available for K–12 instruction to support EL students’ second language acquisition and
learning of academic English and concepts and skills in core content areas. The study will include a
nationally representative survey of 1,000 school district administrators responsible for instructional and
technology decisions (including districts with low, medium, and high representation of ELs), as well as a
survey of 1,200 teachers of EL students, including mainstream teachers of EL students and EL specialist
teachers at elementary and secondary grade levels. The study also includes case studies of six districts
and 12 schools to provide more in-depth, qualitative data on the use of DLRs for instructing EL students.
The study is guided by input from a five member Technical Working Group (TWG) of researchers and
local district or school representatives and an Expert Panel including technology developers,
practitioners, and education researchers. Products will be a final report of findings, a Results in Brief
summary of findings, and two guides: one for educators, and one for technology developers.
For further information:
Annette M. Zehler, Project Director
Westat - Education Studies
Email: annettezehler@westat.com
Phone: 301-251-8231

Philip Vahey, Deputy Project Director
SRI International
Email: Philip.vahey@sri.com
Phone: 650-859-2143

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