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Teachers

Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Instruction for Multilingual Learners in Biology

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University of Florida have made significant strides in developing a new observation protocol for teachers to implement culturally and linguistically responsive instruction for multilingual learners in biology. This study, supported by the National Science Foundation, aims to enhance multilingual learners' engagement in science practices, biology content, and language development. The protocol, called CLIMB, is comprised of six elements that align with research-backed practices to support multilingual learners.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CLIMB observation protocol is a tool for researchers and practitioners to document and analyze culturally and linguistically responsive teaching practices in secondary biology classrooms.
  • The protocol facilitates systematic observation of instructional elements, offering a structured framework for observing instruction.
  • The CLIMB protocol was developed through three iterative phases: domain specification and expert review, item revision with teacher feedback, and pilot testing.
  • The protocol has been validated and is reliable for capturing teachers' culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices.
  • The study concluded that future work may use this tool to examine relationships between observed instructional practices and multilingual learners' science learning outcomes.
  • The research has the potential to advance research methodology in science education, particularly for studies involving multilingual learners.
  • The researchers highlighted the importance of providing a structured framework for observing instruction, particularly for culturally and linguistically responsive science instruction.

Statistics:

  • The National Science Foundation provided financial support for this research (Grant DRL 2010153).
  • The study involved three iterative phases in the development of the CLIMB protocol.
  • The protocol has been validated for use in observing biology teachers of multilingual learners.
  • The study used a pilot testing phase to refine the protocol.

Sources:

  • "Development of an Observation Protocol for Teachers' Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Science Instruction." Science Education 2025.
  • Science Education (Journal) - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1098-237X
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) - nsf.gov
  • University of Florida - ufl.edu

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