Using an interdisciplinary perspective to discuss the intersection of language development and learning processes, this book summarizes current knowledge and represents the most critical issues regarding early childhood research, policy, and practice related to young bilingual children with disabilities. The book begins with a conceptual framework focusing on the intersection between the fields of early childhood education, bilingual education, and special education. It goes on to review and discuss the role of bilingualism in young children’s development and the experiences of young bilingual children with disabilities in early care and education settings, including issues of eligibility and access to care, instruction, and assessment. The book explores family experiences, teacher preparation, accountability, and policy, ending with recommendations for future research which will inform both policies and practices for the education of young bilingual children with disabilities. This timely volume provides valuable guidance for teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers.

This unique guide for special education teachers, teachers of English language learners, and other practitioners provides the foundational information needed to determine whether the language difficulties experienced by English language learners (ELLs) result from the processes and stages of learning a second language or from a learning disability (LD). The book addresses the following critical factors in detail: determining whether an ELL's struggles with reading in English are due to LD or language acquisition; characteristics of language acquisition that can mirror LD; different types of ELLS and why these differences are important; considering a student's "opportunity to learn" when determining whether he or she may have LD; common misconceptions and realities about ELLs and the second language acquisition process; ways that learning to read in English as a second or additional language differ from learning to read English as a first language, and how the differences can be confusing for ELLs; how schools can establish structure to facilitate the process of distinguishing between language acquisition and LD; how families are involved in the process; guidelines for determining which ELLs should be referred for evaluation; and what it means to use an ecological framework to determine whether ELLs have LD.

This edited volume discusses the theoretical, ethical and practical considerations involved in the assessment of Second Language Learners (SLLs) with Specific Language Learning Disorders (SpLD), such as dyslexia and Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, and with other disabilities like visual and hearing impairments. The volume contains 14 chapters. These explore various theoretical models and research findings that identify and evaluate the language and special needs of SLLs with SpLD and other disabilities and evaluate the effectiveness of the accommodation practices employed so far. The studies involve both high-stakes tests and classroom-based assessments conducted by professionals and researchers working in the areas of psychology, special education and second/foreign language testing and assessment from various countries around the globe, including the USA, Canada, New Zealand and European countries such as Italy, UK, Greece, Germany, and Slovenia. The volume accommodates high-quality submissions that cover a gap in a research area that has long been in need of theoretical and empirical attention. This volume will become a valuable point of reference and springboard for future research initiatives.

This important guide shows how to determine appropriate interventions for ELLs with academic challenges. It includes extensive new discussions of RtI and standardized testing used for diagnostic purposes and and reviews consequences for ELLs. The ensuring a continuum of services model featured in the book is a strong collaborative framework that takes teams of educators step-by-step through gathering information about and implementing effective interventions for ELLs with learning difficulties.

Make the right instructional and eligibility decisions to help your English Learners! Do your students' reading difficulties reflect language acquisition issues or a learning disability? Now in an updated second edition, this essential guide helps educators make informed choices about strategies and services to support English Learners, and includes: Nine common misconceptions that can lead to wrongful placement of students in Special Education A new chapter on evidence-based practices for success in teaching reading to students learning English Appropriate techniques to use when assessing students for special education Expanded coverage of Response to Intervention to include a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS)

In this accessible guide to bilingualism in the family and the classroom, Colin Baker delivers a realistic picture of the joys and difficulties of raising bilingual children. This revised edition includes more information on bilingualism in the digital age, and incorporates the latest research in areas such as neonatal language experience, multilingualism and language mixing.