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ERIC Number: EJ1483656
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Oct
Pages: 37
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0002-8312
EISSN: EISSN-1935-1011
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Effects of Heterogeneous versus Homogeneous Grouping of English Learners' Language and Literacy Development: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial
Michael J. Kieffer1; C. Patrick Proctor2; Andrew W. Weaver1; Sasha Karbachinskiy1; Qihan Chen2; Qun Yu2; Gabriella Solano1; Aaron Coleman2; Shaelyn M. Cavanaugh1; Xiaoying Wu1; Elise Cappella1; Rebecca D. Silverman3
American Educational Research Journal, v62 n5 p909-945 2025
In this preregistered within-teacher randomized controlled trial (n = 84), we tested the effects of grouping English learners (ELs) in homogeneous groups (all ELs) versus heterogeneous groups (ELs and non-ELs) on language, reading comprehension, and argumentative writing. Findings indicated no significant main effects of grouping. However, preregistered moderation analyses indicated that heterogeneous groups benefited students with higher English language skills (Hedges' g = 0.27-0.59 or 0.75-1.93 grade equivalents), whereas homogeneous groups benefited students with lower English skills (g = 0.31-0.58 or 1.00-1.55 grade equivalents). Instructional observations indicated that teachers provided more specialized strategies for ELs in homogeneous groups and more authentic questions for students in heterogeneous groups. Findings question the default use of homogeneous grouping and support considering English proficiency when making instructional and policy decisions for EL instruction.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades; Grade 5; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED)
Authoring Institution: N/A
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A200069
Department of Education Funded: Yes
Author Affiliations: 1New York University; 2Boston College; 3Stanford University