Statewide Professional Learning to Strengthen Instruction for Multilingual Learners
Maine's Literacy and Numeracy Action Plans emphasize evidence-based instruction, data-informed tiered supports (MTSS), and equitable access for all learners. Yet multilingual learners (MLs) continue to experience significant barriers to achievement in these core academic areas. This project is one component of Maine's coordinated statewide efforts to implement the Literacy and Numeracy Action Plans, which together aim to strengthen instruction, build educator capacity, and close persistent achievement gaps across all student populations. This series enrolled 120 educators throughout the state of Maine to build capacity for multilingual learners with a universal design approach to learning.
The Statewide Professional Learning to Strengthen Instruction for Multilingual Learners is funded through Title II/Title IV state reservation funds.
Building Capacity for Multilingual Learners with SupportEd
| Session | Elementary Cohort | Secondary Cohort |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1: Knowing Your Multilingual Learners and Using ML Research to Support Language, Literacy, and Numeracy Development Participants explore who multilingual learners are, examine current research on multilingualism and language development, and consider how evidence-based practices can support language, literacy, and numeracy growth. |
Recording | Slides | Recording | Slides |
| Session 2: Building Literacy and Numeracy for MLs with Instructional Materials Scaffolds Participants explore how instructional materials and intentional scaffolds can support multilingual learners' access to rigorous literacy and numeracy instruction. |
Recording | Slides | Recording | Slides |
| Session 3: Strengthening Language Development Through Content-Area Instruction Participants explore how language development can be intentionally integrated into content-area instruction to support multilingual learners' success in literacy, numeracy, and other academic disciplines. |
Recording | Slides | Recording | Slides |
| Session 4: Peer Learning and Intentional Student Grouping to Scaffold Literacy and Numeracy for MLs Participants explore how peer learning structures and intentional student grouping can increase multilingual learners' access to literacy and numeracy instruction. |
Recording | Slides | Recording | Slides |
| Session 5: Scaffolding Through Instructional Practices for Multilingual Learners Participants explore instructional practices that scaffold learning for multilingual learners while maintaining access to rigorous grade-level content. |
Recording | Slides | Recording | Slides |
| Session 6: Reflecting and Goal Setting (Joint Session — Elementary & Secondary) Participants reflect on their learning throughout the series and consider how to sustain and expand effective practices that support multilingual learners. Educators identify successes, reflect on challenges, and develop goals for continued professional growth and implementation. |
Recording | Slides: Elementary | Secondary | |
This series promotes a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) approach to meeting the needs of multilingual learners within general education settings. For additional resources and information about supporting multilingual learners in Maine schools, visit the Maine Department of Education's Multilingual Learner webpage.