Project Middle School Science for English Language Learners

The goal of the Project MSSELL was to address the interwoven language problem related to the need for science literacy among English Language Learners (ELLs) at the middle school level. Today’s immigrants and ELLs in the United States face a vastly different situation than those who immigrated just a generation ago. Greater literacy demands have been placed upon students and workers. And much higher levels of English fluency are needed to compete in the U.S. economy and hold jobs that relate to science and technology. High levels of literacy are seen as necessary to improve one’s social and economic condition.

The objective of the study was to implement a rigorous, two-year randomized trial longitudinal evaluation of enhanced instructional science models for middle school students whose first language is Spanish, with the hypothesis being a research-based model for improved science achievement and academic English proficiency.

Funding provided by the National Science Foundation
Date of award: September 22, 2008
Dates of project: September 1, 2008-August 31, 2012