Which of the following is NOT a recommended strategy for supporting English Language Learners?

• A. Activate background knowledge
• B. Provide language supports (sentence frames, visuals)
• C. Use sheltered instruction strategies
• D. Exclude accommodations and progress monitoring

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is how to best support English learners by making content understandable and language accessible. Activating background knowledge helps students connect new material to what they already know, which lowers the cognitive load and makes unfamiliar concepts more approachable. Providing language supports, such as sentence frames and visuals, gives students concrete tools to express ideas and comprehend meaning, bridging language and content simultaneously. Using sheltered instruction strategies means designing lessons that make content comprehensible while still developing language skills, often through clear modeling, vocabulary supports, and guided practice in meaningful contexts.

Excluding accommodations and progress monitoring removes essential supports that help ELLs access the same content and demonstrate growth. Accommodations—like extra processing time, simplified language, or graphic organizers—adjust how students learn and demonstrate understanding without changing the expectations. Progress monitoring provides data on progress and informs instructional adjustments. Without these elements, students may struggle to access instruction and teachers lose critical feedback to tailor support.