More than 700,000 Texas school children who are learning English as a second language, including thousands of students new to the country, will get help mastering English with new materials headed to Texas classrooms.
Pearson Longman's new print and digital programs, which are designed to close the achievement gap between native English speakers and English learners--the fastest-growing group of students in Texas schools--will hit many classrooms next fall. Data recently released by the Texas Education Agency shows students with limited English proficiency scored nearly 20 points lower (58) in all tests taken than the state average (77) in the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).* The gap is progressively wider at higher grade levels, so reaching students early is critical.
Longman Cornerstone for grades K-5 and Longman Keystone for grades 6-8 were recently approved by the Texas State Board of Education for use in Texas classrooms. The state's decision to approve the Pearson materials -the only K-8 ESL programs that come in both print and digital editions- will help teachers build students' reading comprehension, vocabulary, and oral and written communication skills while reinforcing the state's rigorous Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum and College and Career Readiness Standards.
Using content that focuses on Texas history, culture, and people, the Pearson materials are designed to improve English learners' ability to build their academic language and vocabulary as they read assignments in their math, science and other classes. Aligned to the Texas English Language Proficiency Standards, each level of the intensive programs systematically weaves in content from other classroom subjects while accelerating students' acquisition of English.
Both programs include resources to help teachers set Texas newcomers on a path to college and career readiness. The "Newcomer Resource Kit" is based on research and helps students with little English language proficiency or interrupted formal education build literacy skills.
Longman Cornerstone and Longman Keystone include digital eBooks -complete student books and workbooks in digital format- along with additional learning activities and games for more practice. The digital eBook is also available online, along with additional activities for support and enrichment.
The Pearson materials also include a "Phonics and Word Analysis Kit" consisting of various story books, flashcards, teacher's guide with audio CD, and workbook to help children learn letter-sound correspondence, build their vocabulary, and boost their English reading, writing and speaking skills.
"With these new materials, we're equipping Texas teachers with classroom-tested, proven techniques to help English language learners excel," said Jim Cummins, a national and world authority on English language learning and contributing author of the series.
From its rigorous curriculum to engaging digital materials and close monitoring of student progress, Pearson's instructional materials for English language learners are scientifically researched and proven to be effective in the classroom by providing the following.
Academic vocabulary development and language-building with Texas-specific content in critical subjects like math, science, language arts and social studies;
Comprehensive assessment tools that determine at what level each student is performing to help teachers quickly identify academic strengths and weaknesses and differentiate instruction and intervene, as needed;
Programs developed specifically to teach Texas' Kindergarten through 8th grade TEKS, ELPS, and college and career readiness curriculum guidelines;
Great selection of literature and high-interest story books;
A rich blend of print, CD/DVD, and online resources for teachers to choose from and easily customize their instruction for students' individual learning needs.
Author Anna Chamot from George Washington University; John De Mado, founder and president of John De Mado Language Seminars, Inc.; and Sharroky Hollie from California State University, Dominguez Hills, also contributed their extensive research and expertise to the development of Cornerstone and Keystone.
More information about Pearson Longman's Cornerstone and Keystone programs can be found at http://www.texasesl.com.
About Pearson and Texas
Pearson (NYSE:PSO) is Texas' leading provider of technology in the classroom and has been supplying education materials to Texas schools as far back as the 1800s. You may know us individually as Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Longman, SuccessMaker, NovaNet, PowerSchool, Educational Measurement, Educational Assessment, SuccessNet, Learning Teams, and so many more - names in the world of education that are recognized and respected across the State and the globe. In fact, most teachers in Texas have learned their profession by studying with Pearson's Merrill or Allyn & Bacon textbooks, and many have benefited from our professional development programs. We provide education and testing materials from birth through professional learning as well as the school systems that maintain student information data for thousands of schools. Our business offices are located in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, but our 2,000 Pearson people are living and working in every school district across the State. For more information, go to http://www.pearsonschool.com.
*TAKS Met 2010 Standard, Sum of All Grades Tested, TEA 2009-2010 Academic Excellence Indicator System: http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/2010/state.html
Contact:
Kate Miller
212.641.6115
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