California District Looks To Improve ELL Teacher Instruction

The San Diego (CA) Union-Tribune (9/22, McCray) reports, "The Chula Vista Elementary School District is sprucing up teacher training this year in an effort to improve education for English- and Spanish-language learners." The district launched a collaborative educator training program with the San Diego County Office of Education last year "with a document called Side by Side, which helps teachers plan instruction by breaking down language standards - the knowledge, concepts, and skills that students should acquire - by grade level," the Union-Tribune reports. The piece describes the philosophy behind the program, noting that it also has benefits for native English speakers.