CREC: English Learner/Multilingual Learner Support Services

English learners/Multilingual learners (ELs/MLs) represent over 5 million students in public schools nationwide—10 percent of the total school population and growing. At CREC, we recognize that multilingualism is an asset to be celebrated and nurtured in our educational systems.

With increasing linguistic diversity in classrooms across the region, educators face both exciting opportunities and complex challenges. CREC offers specialized expertise to help schools and districts create inclusive, effective learning environments where multilingual students thrive. Our comprehensive support services empower educators to develop asset-based programs, implement research-based instructional practices, and establish policies that promote educational equity for EL/ML students.

We deliver personalized solutions to meet the unique needs of your school or district. Whether you're seeking to strengthen classroom instruction, develop comprehensive language programs, or ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, CREC's multilingual learner services provide the guidance and support you need to help your students achieve their maximum potential.

From individual classroom coaching to district-wide program audits, our services are flexible, affordable, and built to fit your scheduling and staffing needs. We proudly partner with schools and districts across Connecticut and beyond to build sustainable systems that support multilingual learners academically while honoring their cultural and linguistic assets.

Our Approach

At CREC, we are committed to:

Recognizing multilingualism as an asset, not a deficit.
Implementing evidence-based instructional practices that support both language development and academic growth.
Creating culturally and linguistically inclusive classrooms.
Empowering educators through collaborative professional learning experiences.
Using data to inform instruction and drive continuous improvement.
Building sustainable systems and practices that support long-term success.

Our approach blends practical classroom strategies with systems-level planning to create comprehensive solutions for schools and districts at any stage of their EL/ML program development. Whether we’re working with classroom teachers or district leadership, our goal is to build internal capacity that continues long after our direct support ends.

Services Offered by CRG

Professional Learning

Customized, research-based training that builds educator capacity to support multilingual learners across all content areas and foster language acquisition- including strategies for newcomers, SLIFE students, and academic writing.

Instructional Coaching

Job-embedded coaching services that provide sustained support through classroom observations, demonstration lessons, collaborative planning and reflective feedback to improve instruction for multilingual learners.

Administrator Support

Professional development for school and district leaders that builds capacity for program implementation, teacher evaluation, compliance, and strategic decision-making related to multilingual learner education.

EL/ML Program Development & Evaluation

Comprehensive program audits and planning services that help schools and districts design, implement, and refine their multilingual learner programs through data-driven strategic evaluation.

Policy Guidance

Support navigating federal, state, and local policy requirements while developing equitable policies that meet compliance standards and advance EL/ML success.

Curriculum Review and CELP Standard Alignment

Curriculum design and analysis to ensure academic content is aligned with Connecticut English Language Proficiency Standards and effectively integrates language development.

Assessment and SRBI Support

Specialized guidance for developing assessment systems and support frameworks that help schools and districts distinguish between normal second language learning and potential learning disabilities, ensuring multilingual students receive appropriate academic interventions and services.

Special Populations (SLIFE, Newcomers)

Targeted strategies and programming support for Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) and newly arrived students who require specialized instructional approaches.

Products Offered by CRG

Essentials for Quality EL/ML Programs: A Coordinator’s Year-Round Guidebook

A comprehensive and practical planning resource for EL/ML program coordinators, supporting high-quality, compliant, and responsive programming throughout the school year.