Program Overview

ESLreadingsmart.com is a Web-based learning environment designed to accelerate the development of English as a Second Language (ESL). ESLreadingsmart.com provides instructional materials for newcomers as well as for intermediate and advanced English learners (grades 4 through 12, college and adult education). Each lesson offers activities and reading selections for students, as well as online lesson plans, worksheets, and printable handouts for teachers. Instructional materials are written at a variety of ESL levels, helping teachers solve the challenge of teaching English learners in multilevel classrooms. Most importantly, ESLreadingsmart.com allows teachers to individualize ESL instruction.

ESLreadingsmart.com content is designed to:

	Accelerate English language development
	Support state-adopted objectives
	Track students’ progress in their English language development
	Integrate language arts and ESL objectives in lessons and activities
	Integrate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills
	Allow learners to connect their prior knowledge and experience to new learning situations
	Build learners’ background knowledge in several content areas
	Foster understanding and acceptance of diverse cultures

Target Learners

The target learners for ESLreadingsmart.com are ESL students from fourth to twelfth grade, and college level who are beginning English language learners (newcomers) as well as students who are reading at the beginning (ESL Level I), intermediate (ESL Level II), and advanced level (ESL Level III). Given the multicultural component of ESLreadingsmart.com, the Web site is also suitable for Language Arts teachers and students.

Standards-Based

ESLreadingsmart.com is aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), Sunshine Standards for Language Arts, and Teachers of Other Languages (TESOL) international ESL/ESOL goals, California and Ohio standards. ESLreadingsmart.com is already implemented in the most innovative ESL classrooms in Texas, Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Ohio, Nevada, New Mexico, and North Carolina.

Effectiveness

Statistical analysis has proven the effectiveness of ESLreadingsmart.com as an ESL/ELD instructional program. In studies carried out in 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2006-2007 in the Katy (Texas) Independent School District, a district with a total student population of 1,500 students in grades 6 through 11, students who completed more than ten ESLreadingsmart.com lessons in a school year had increased SAT 9/10 reading and language scores in contrast to students who did not use the program. The usage of ESLreadingsmart.com is thus clearly related to solid gains in SAT 9/10 Reading and Language scores. Similar gains in reading comprehension, and test scores have been reported for San Marcos ISD in 2005-2006 by independent researchers from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.