To improve instruction for English language learners in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has introduced the Rethinking Equity and Teaching of English Language Learners (RETELL) initiative.

Through this initiative, all core academic teachers in the state will be required to complete comprehensive professional development in Sheltered English Instruction methods by July, 2016. AIR is collaborating with the Department to evaluate the initiative by:

• Evaluating the pilot teacher professional development program that was initiated under RETELL in five districts in Fall 2012. Results from the evaluation informed changes to the program before it was rolled out statewide in 2013.
• Evaluating the first semester of the full teacher professional development program in 17 high ELL incidence districts in Massachusetts.
• Evaluating the pilot administrator professional development program.
• Collaborating with the Department to seek funding from federal and private granting agencies for research on the outcomes of the RETELL initiative and its associated professional development.