LXD Research ESSA Level 2 WIDA ACCESS Growth Study
Measuring the Impact of e2L Coaching on English Language Learner Growth
Report Sections:
Study Description
engage2learn (e2L) provides a personalized coaching system that builds capacity and engagement in public schools. Learning Experience Design (LXD) Research, a third-party independent evaluator, was hired to analyze WIDA data collected from the Providence Public School District each winter, 2021–2023. The goal was to measure how e2L coaching contributed to the faculty's shared and growing use of instructional best practices, and if those best practices impacted student outcomes for English language learners (ELLs), otherwise known as multilingual learners (MLLs).
You can learn more about the e2L’s multi-year partnership with Providence Public Schools here.
This well-designed, correlational study suggests that e2L’s methodology for instructional coaching and support interventions meets the standard for ESSA Level 2 Moderate Evidence by having a statistically significant impact on the overall language proficiency of MLL students as measured by the WIDA ACCESS assessment.
Grades 2-5 Proficiency Results
% Likelihood of Improvement in Proficiency
Students showed statistically significant
higher likelihood of improvement on WIDA ACCESS proficiency scores when taught by teachers receiving e2L coaching.
Program Overview
e2L partnered with the district to provide coaching for teachers who worked with multilingual learners (MLLs) and in dual-language classrooms. Teachers were coached on the instructional best practices for MLLs and worked with their e2L Coach to design their own path toward standards mastery. As teachers demonstrate evidence of practice of each competency they earn microcredential to recognize their growth.
Top 4 Competency Badges Earned by MLL Teachers
Differentiation / Scaffolding
Assessment / Formative Feedback
Communication
Relevance / Authenticity
Key Findings/Results
This study documented e2L program implementation among MLL educators in the Providence Public School District and its impact on student outcomes. Leveraging teacher usage data and student outcome data across three years (2021, 2022, and 2023), the study provided evidence of the effectiveness of e2L coaching systems and technology tools to support the teaching of students who are learning English as a second language.
Scale Score Results
Students showed statistically significant higher year-over-year gains on WIDA ACCESS scores after instructors received e2L coaching compared to before coaching in Overall Scale Score, Speaking, and Oral Language composite score (which includes listening and speaking components).
Year-Over-Year WIDA ACCESS Score Growth
Overall: t(963) = 2.24, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .14
Speaking: t(968) = 2.72, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .17
Oral: t(962) = 2.44, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .15
Grade Level Skills Align with Grade Level Expectations
At each grade level in grades 2-4, e2L coaching had a positive impact on year-over-year gains and likelihood of proficiency in domains desired for each age group. For example, the most impact was on speaking for younger students and writing for older students.
Grade 2 Results
Second-grade students demonstrated significant improvements in speaking, a targeted skill for this age group after educators received e2L coaching.
Year-Over-Year WIDA ACCESS Score Growth
t(130) = 3.75, p<.01, Cohen’s d = .62
Grade 3 Results
Third-grade students achieved significantly higher year-over-year gains in writing compared to the previous year. They also showed a higher likelihood of improvement in proficiency for reading and writing.
Year-Over-Year WIDA ACCESS Score Growth
t(290) = 3.12, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .36
% Likelihood of Improvement in Proficiency
Reading: t(269) = 2.92, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .34
Writing: t(282) = 5.13, p<.0001, Cohen’s d = .59
Grade 4 Results
Fourth-grade students in the post-e2L
educator coached cohort showed significant improvements in writing, both in year-over-year scale score gains and in likelihood of improvement in proficiency. Like second grade, this is also a targeted skill for this age group.
Year-Over-Year WIDA ACCESS Score Growth
t(138) = 3.75, p<.01, Cohen’s d = .63
% Likelihood of Improvement in Proficiency
t(109) = 3.07, p<.05, Cohen’s d = .52