Strengthening Collaboration: Meeting the English Language and Literacy Needs of Multilingual Learners

Abstract

This capstone project aims to strengthen the collaboration between the school librarian and the classroom teachers to meet Multilingual Learners' (MLs) English language and literacy development needs. Collaboration between the school librarian and classroom teachers can be strengthened by Professional development, implementing collaborative strategies integrating DEIB concepts in instructional and non-instructional initiatives. The instructional initiatives cover activities involving collaborative work in co-planning and co-implementing instruction infused within DEIB concepts. The non-instructional initiatives comprise activities that will involve not only the partner educators but also other school staff. These are book study, inquiry group, I Coll-DEIB Briefs, DEIB Books of the Month, and Yearly Inventory of DEIB Books. Integration of DEIB concepts in various initiatives would make the MLs feel respected and accepted, motivating the MLs to study, improving their English language and literacy development. Recommendations include further research to bridge the gap between the current extent of collaboration between classroom teachers and school librarians and their willingness to collaborate. Determine the impact of instructional and non-instructional collaborative initiatives on students' academic achievement; investigate DEIB best practices and strategies in schools; find out how schools can successfully create a culture among administrators, faculty, students, and parents meaningfully committed and engaged in DEIB. Determine the most effective ways to monitor and measure the progress of DEIB concepts, the best way to engage in curriculum development that seamlessly embeds and integrates DEIB concepts into the assessment to show students' learning.