ERIC Number: EJ1443442
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Nov
Pages: 41
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8326
EISSN: EISSN-1098-237X
Multilingual Learners' Exposure to Science and Language Inputs in Elementary School: ¿Qué Sabemos?
Lelydeyvis Boza; F. Chris Curran; Katharine Harris-Walls; Tiffany S. Tan; Amber Deig; Mark B. Pacheco
Science Education, v108 n6 p1549-1589 2024
As linguistic diversity continues to increase in the United States public school system, schools are expected to meet the needs of their ever-changing student body. While much attention within education research has understandably focused on multilingual learners' (MLs) English language acquisition, an emergent body of work points to science as an important subject for attention among elementary MLs. We suggest that understanding what "science and language inputs" are afforded to MLs in schools can contribute to understanding the needs and opportunities for enhancing MLs' science learning. This study leveraged nationally representative data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study of 2010-2011 to explore the science and language inputs available to MLs in elementary school. Using descriptive statistics, our analysis of science and language inputs provides evidence on what MLs have, or do not have, access to inside of their schools. Science inputs appear to be relatively evenly distributed across classrooms serving non-MLs, MLs, and subgroups therein. In comparison, language inputs are differentially distributed across ML subgroups, but they are distributed in ways that may align with student needs. However, while the science inputs do not necessarily vary across subgroups, the language inputs do, and this may affect how students can engage with science inputs. In understanding what science and language inputs MLs are afforded, this study provides a foundation for how to improve formal learning environments for them, especially regarding science learning.
Descriptors: Multilingualism, Bilingual Students, Science Education, Elementary School Science, Elementary School Students, Linguistic Input, Children, Longitudinal Studies, Surveys, Student Needs, Affordances
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2191/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey
Grant or Contract Numbers: 2100419