The Importance of Identifying English Learners in Education Research Studies

Given the high numbers of English learners (ELs) in U.S. schools, this session will focus on the importance of identifying ELs in educational research studies. The session will first briefly overview 1) the numbers of ELs in U.S. schools, 2) methods researchers use to identify ELs, 3) challenges in identifying ELs, and 4) consequences resulting from a lack of or inadequate methods to identify ELs, which have implications for study quality and generalizability of findings that affect policies and practices targeting ELs. Examples from three IES-funded studies will illustrate practices and/or consequences related to identifying ELs in research studies.