About Us

The Madison Academic Language Working Group—a group of researchers, practicioners, and educators with extensive experience in areas that include instruction, assessment, professional development, research, and technical assistance—was formed to advance support for the language learning and achievement of English learner (EL) students. The Working Group, first convened by the WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) Consortium leaders and WestEd in September 2010, aims to build consensus around:

• the core components of the academic language construct (vocabulary, grammar, language functions, text structure, and genre)
• a common means for describing these core components of academic language
• a framework for effectively addressing them in instructional practice, and
• the crucial role that mastery of academic language plays in the academic achievement of all students.

It is anticipated that this work will inform standards, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and policy, ultimately contributing to the establishment of a coherent system of support for EL students.

The Working Group is responding to a call from the field to link theory with practice and to work toward defining a broad national framework for academic language that could support EL students' successful preparation for college and career, especially as our nation moves toward more rigorous and higher expectations for all our students. Outcomes of the Working Group (e.g., guidelines, white papers, professional development materials) will help inform and guide instructional practice related to academic language, particularly within the socio-cultural context of our schools, and they will promote critical dialogue among educators, policymakers, and other key stakeholders about issues and practices affecting the academic English language development and related achievement of EL students.

The Madison Academic Language Working Group members are (alphabetically):

• Kris Anstrom, Center for Equity and Excellence in Education at the George Washington University
• Diane August, Center for Applied Linguistics
• Alison Bailey, University of California, Los Angeles
• Tim Boals, WIDA Executive Director
• Gary Cook, WIDA Research Director
• Margo Gottlieb, WIDA Lead Developer/Illinois Resource Center
• Anne Katz, Independent Consultant
• Dorry Kenyon, Center for Applied Linguistics
• Rachel Lagunoff, WestEd
• David MacGregor, Center for Applied Linguistics
• Edynn Sato, WestEd
• Robin Scarcella, University of California, Irvine
• Sharon Saez, Council of Chief State School Officers
• Deborah Short, Center for Applied Linguistics