Tier Two Reading Interventions For Elementary English Learners

The guiding question for this Capstone project is What curriculum guide can be developed for Tier 2 Interventions within the RtI framework for elementary-level ELs with reading difficulties? The literature was examined for sources of EL reading difficulties, evidence-based practices for implementing Response to Intervention (RtI), for teaching reading, and for teaching ELs. The intersections of this research led to the formulation of several guiding principles that can be used in the development of curricula for Tier 2 reading interventions for ELs: Instruction and materials should be (a) scaffolded; (b) culturally and linguistically responsive; (c) focused on improving reading comprehension through the development of vocabulary and reading fluency; and (d) supportive of best-practices with the RtI framework. Using these principles, a curriculum guide was developed for elementary-level ELs who struggle with reading. The guide includes three example reading interventions and resources for adapting instruction based on student background