Equal Chance, Equal Learning through Literacy (ECELL)
The Center for the Education and Study of Diverse Populations (CESDP), in partnership with the New Mexico State Department of Education (NMSDE), used federal funds to create a new initiative in 2000 called Project ECELL: Equal Chance, Equal Learning through Literacy. The goal of ECELL is to increase the literacy skills of Native American students in middle schools.
Project ECELL works with selected middle schools to develop a comprehensive student-centered literacy model, using instructional practices grounded in scientifically-based reading research (SBRR). ECELL can function as a support to the school's existing literacy model or assist the school in creating a new model to meet the literacy needs of students. This project provides an avenue to train content area teachers in the reading and writing processes, so that a science or social studies teacher has the background to assist students in developing reading and writing skills through all core content work. The project is designed to provide high quality, evidenced-based technical assistance, training, coaching, and on-site institutes for classroom teachers, instructional assistants, tutorial staff, and families.
Four of the ECELL sites have become target sites, with intensive work conducted in literacy skills for all content areas. The work at these sites often includes initial assessment and data analysis to determine school and student reading needs, test-taking skills, and best practices for instruction with Native American students, as well as setting directions for comprehensive reform efforts.
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