The SEAL Approach
SEAL is successful because it is a comprehensive, whole-school strategy.
Our approach is rooted at the intersection of research and educational equity. The bedrock values are a commitment to further developing the intellectual and linguistic genius of young children, honoring the value and role of a family’s culture and language in students’ lives, and helping teachers cultivate the skills and mindset they need to become powerfully effective educators.
We work with preschool and school district leaders, principals, teachers, and families to establish systems and practices that support language development, literacy, and engaging, joyful learning— for English Learners, Dual Language Learners and ALL students.
SEAL provides a clear pathway for California to meet the vision set out by the comprehensive English Learner Roadmap policy. Researchers who conducted a multiyear evaluation found that SEAL improved teaching practices and that SEAL English Learners demonstrated stronger engagement as well as positive language development and academic outcomes.
SEAL addresses English Learner needs at all levels to create long-term systemic changes.
PRACTICE
We partner with schools over multiple years to train teachers in research-based pedagogy, spark cross-school collaboration, and build internal coaching and leadership capacity to support English Learners. Read More
RESEARCH
We conduct research in classrooms, pilot new approaches, and publish insights to advance the field’s understanding of what works for English Learners. Read More
POLICY & ADVOCACY
We engage district leaders, educators and other education stakeholders, using our research, practice, and analysis to connect them to opportunities to advocate for policies that centralize the needs of English Learners.
The SEAL Model
Research shows that English Learners succeed academically when we treat home language as an asset and we design learning to meet their needs.
The research-based and evidence-based SEAL Model is designed to provide high-quality education to all English Learners starting in preschool through elementary school, and to prevent the development of Long-Term English Learners. We provide professional development, curriculum support, and technical assistance to school systems which bolsters learning for all children, but is especially critical for English Learners.
