TY - JOUR
T1 - Converging trajectories
T2 - Reading growth in language minority learners and their classmates, kindergarten to grade 8
AU - Kieffer, Michael J.
PY - 2011/10
Y1 - 2011/10
N2 - Using longitudinal data on a nationally representative U.S. cohort, this study examined the roles of language minority (LM) status and English proficiency in English reading growth across the elementary and middle school years. Piecewise growth modeling was used to compare English reading growth trajectories for native English speakers and LM learners of differing initial English proficiency, with and without controlling for socioeconomic status. LM learners who enter kindergarten fluent in English catch up with native English speakers nationally by first grade and maintain nationally average levels through eighth grade. LM learners with initially limited English proficiency demonstrated English reading trajectories that remain substantially below national averages, but converge with those of their peers from similar socioeconomic backgrounds during middle school.
AB - Using longitudinal data on a nationally representative U.S. cohort, this study examined the roles of language minority (LM) status and English proficiency in English reading growth across the elementary and middle school years. Piecewise growth modeling was used to compare English reading growth trajectories for native English speakers and LM learners of differing initial English proficiency, with and without controlling for socioeconomic status. LM learners who enter kindergarten fluent in English catch up with native English speakers nationally by first grade and maintain nationally average levels through eighth grade. LM learners with initially limited English proficiency demonstrated English reading trajectories that remain substantially below national averages, but converge with those of their peers from similar socioeconomic backgrounds during middle school.
KW - English language learners
KW - language minority
KW - longitudinal studies
KW - reading
KW - socioeconomic status
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80052646694&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80052646694&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3102/0002831211419490
DO - 10.3102/0002831211419490
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:80052646694
SN - 0002-8312
VL - 48
SP - 1187
EP - 1225
JO - American Educational Research Journal
JF - American Educational Research Journal
IS - 5
ER -