Multilingual Learner Supports (MLL)

Starting in early 2025, all comprehensive, K-12 materials in ELA, math, and science reviewed by EdReports are reviewed for MLL supports using the relevant, subject-specific MLL tool. MLL reviews are conducted by educator reviewers with expertise in both the relevant core content area and in MLL supports.

Note that the MLL-specific sections of some reports may be published on a staggered basis, after the initial core content review, because these reviews require specialized expertise and additional training.

To learn more, see EdReports Version 2.0 Tool Revisions: Frequently Asked Questions.

EdReports began reviewing all comprehensive K–12 materials for MLL supports in 2020. We prototyped MLL-specific tools in 2022 in order to broaden and deepen criteria in this essential aspect of curriculum quality. These tools were piloted in 2022 and 2023 and have been further revised since, leading to the creation of dedicated, standalone MLL tools for each K–12 content area in version 2.0 review tools.

Version 2.0 review tools

Report year range: 2025–present

Focus areas covered by tools:

• K–12 ELA core: comprehensive materials
• K–2 ELA foundational skills supplements
• K–12 math core: comprehensive materials
• K–12 MLL supports for ELA, math, and science
• K–12 science core: comprehensive materials

Approach to reviewing for MLL supports

• Introduction of dedicated, MLL-specific tools for each K–12 content area to highlight where and how multilingual students can be successful within the materials.
• Each tool covers:
  • MLL students’ full and complete participation in grade-level content
  • Coherence of MLL supports
  • Teacher guidance
  • Assessment

Version 1.5 review tools

Report year range: 2021–2025

Focus areas covered by tools:

• K–12 ELA core: comprehensive materials
• K–12 math core: comprehensive materials
• K–12 science core: comprehensive materials

Approach to reviewing for MLL supports

• Final review gateway largely standardized across K–12 ELA, math, and science review tools, including standardized indicators for evaluating materials’ MLL supports across all tools:
  • 3q: A scored indicator evaluating strategies and supports for MLL students to regularly participate in grade-level learning.
  • 3s: A narrative indicator evaluating teacher guidance to draw upon student home language to facilitate learning.

Version 1.0 review tools

Report year range: 2015–2021

Focus areas covered by tools:

• K–12 ELA core: comprehensive materials
• K–2 ELA foundational skills supplements
• K–12 math core: comprehensive materials
• K–8 science core: comprehensive materials

Approach to reviewing for MLL supports

• Varying approaches across tools for different content areas and grade bands.
• Some review tools included a scored indicator for MLL supports and other narrative indicators around e.g., encouraging teachers to draw on students’ home language. Other tools did not explicitly reference MLL students or their needs.