Of the three resolutions passed at AFT convention related to educational issues, the resolution on English language learners (ELLs) represents the biggest change to prior AFT policy.  The predominant thinking within the AFT--a la Shanker--has been that while bilingual education is helpful, a quick transition to mastery of English is really best for students.  The new resolution states that, "school systems often place ELLs into English-only instruction before they are ready" and that "research on language acquisition supports native language literacy instruction as a helpful support for school language acquisition."  The resolution also seeks to draw attention to the gap in academic performance between ELLs and native English speakers.

The resolution includes several recommendations for how to improve the teaching and learning conditions for ELLs, some of which ask the AFT to:

• Call on schools of education to incorporate courses and experiences that prepare teachers to meet the instructional needs of ELLs.
• Support the implementation of research-based instructional models for ELLs such as dual immersion, ESL and other programs that include:

a school culture of high expectations for all students;

prescreening and ongoing assessment programs that determine students’ levels of English language proficiency separate from students’ content knowledge and that have the appropriate tools to distinguish between lack of linguistic abilities in English and learning disabilities;

reading instruction that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary-building and comprehension activities connected to meaningful literacy and writing instruction;

frequent teacher-led, structured opportunities for ELLs to discuss topics that are directly relevant to their lives and for them to interact in the classroom with native English speakers; and

native language instruction, where appropriate, to facilitate English language acquisition and content knowledge, delivered by teachers who are certified in the requisite content area(s) and paraprofessionals who work under the direct supervision of a teacher.