Education Service Center Region XIII has enlisted MCPER to create a resource to help Texas teachers integrate academic vocabulary into their instruction. The purpose of this project is to identify academic vocabulary for fifth- to seventh-grade English language learners (ELLs) in Texas in the areas of English language arts and math and to develop a resource to promote the instruction of academic vocabulary. For the specific purposes of this project, the team defines academic vocabulary as the key words, concepts, and principles in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for English language arts/reading and math that will help ELLs in grades 5–7 read and understand text, develop subject-matter literacy, and demonstrate their knowledge and skills.
