In January 2012, over 60 researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and educational leaders gathered on the campus of Stanford University for the Understanding Language conference. Bringing cross-disciplinary expertise in language, content area learning, and assessments, they convened to discuss the implications of the Common Core State Standards for the success of English Language Learners. This brief presents a summary of the conference.

We know the best research evidence indicates that instructing ELL students bilingually strengthens their academic content knowledge and skills. This brief discusses the implications of the Common Core for bilingual education.

This unit shows instructional approaches that are likely to help ELLs meet new standards in English Language Arts.

A commission of papers that were prepared for the Understanding Language inauguratory conference held on January 13-14, 2012 at Stanford University.

Helpful resources for science educators.

The goal of these materials is to illustrate how Common Core aligned math tasks can be used to support math instruction and language development for ELLs at three grade spans (elementary, middle, and high school).