CODE

What Are We Learning About Supporting English Language Learners in Ontario?

A 2020 research report examining the implementation of ELL Policies and Procedures (2007)in Ontario publicly funded English-speaking school boards.

This research was supported by the Council of Ontario Directors of Education. Principal Investigator: Dr. Jenni Donohoo, Praxis Engaging Ideas, Inc. Funding for the production of this publication was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Education. Please note that the views expressed in the publication are the views of the Recipient and do not necessarily reflect those of the Ministry of Education. An acknowledgement is made to Sharon Newmaster for her assistance in reviewing the report.

The increasing number of English language learners (ELLs) in Ontario’s elementary and secondary publicly funded schools has been well documented. Ontario is the province of choice for over 50% of newcomers to Canada (Statistics Canada, 2017). As ELLs continue to be a constantly growing demographic, it is vital that school and system leaders and classroom educators develop and implement programs and services needed to meet their unique needs.

The purpose of this study was to describe how components of the ELL Policies and Procedures (2007) are being implemented in publicly funded English-speaking school boards throughout the province.

This project was not intended to be an audit, rather it was intended to describe how educators view, understand, and engage in ELL Policies and Procedures(2007) implementation and to determine what we are learning about supporting English language learners in Ontario’s publicly funded English-speaking schools.