ABSTRACT
Standards-based curriculum and other mandates within the current climate of high-stakes testing and government policies such as the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act have created challenges that many teachers find hard to navigate. The biggest challenge is meeting a variety of learner needs while also meeting the demands of mandated curriculum and instructional techniques and keeping all learners engaged. English language learners (ELL) need extra language support and often have many other needs and resources. Some come to school with strong first-language literacy preparation and content knowledge; some come with needs ranging from special talents to physical, learning, or emotional disabilities; some have already studied English as a foreign language whereas others are hearing or reading English for the first time. Each ELL child is unique, but then so are all members of their new learning communities.
