Development of a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire for Newcomer English Language Learners
Abstract
The aim of this study was to develop and validate a computer-based, first language, newcomer English language learner parent/guardian (NEP) questionnaire for middle-school English language learners (ELLs). Parents/guardians and students in New York City (NYC) public schools communicate in many languages other than English and may be born in numerous different countries outside the US. The number of newcomer ELLs (students with three or fewer years in the US) is a growing population in the NYC public school system. Considering the vast heterogeneity of NYC newcomer ELLs, increasing educator knowledge about individual students’ backgrounds and experiences before entering the NYC school system can inform instruction and curriculum design to meet their specific needs, both educationally and socially.This questionnaire development study asked educators for their input as to what information would be most beneficial to collect from parents/guardians when newcomer ELLs register in the NYC public school system, specifically for middle-school students who have many years of personal and educational experience. The NEP Questionnaire passed through the development phase in this study as part of the validation process. The study collected and analyzed data through educator questionnaires to create items for the NEP Questionnaire with expert evaluations. The revised NEP Questionnaire was professionally translated into Spanish, reverse translated, and reviewed by a bilingual expert in preparation for pilot testing as an initial step in the validation process.
Subject Area
English as a Second Language|Education|American studies
Recommended Citation
Lynch, George S., "Development of a Parent/Guardian Questionnaire for Newcomer English Language Learners" (2024). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI31139607.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI31139607
