Teaching English in the United States: Looking Back and Moving Forward towards a Brighter Future

This article provides a historical overview of English language instruction in the United States as well as a spectrum of the current models used in schools. From subtractive methods to additive approaches, the benefits of each are explored. This work highlights the rapidly expanding movement towards Dual Language instruction for English language learners, and the advantages it brings to students, schools and the community. The authors examine future considerations for Dual Language programming and the escalating need for these qualified and specialized educators

A Common CNR1 (Cannabinoid Receptor 1) Haplotype Attenuates the Decrease in HDL Cholesterol That Typically Accompanies Weight Gain

We have previously shown that genetic variability in CNR1 is associated with low HDL dyslipidemia in a multigenerational obesity study cohort of Northern European descent (209 families, median  = 10 individuals per pedigree). In order to assess the impact of CNR1 variability on the development of dyslipidemia in the community, we genotyped this locus in all subjects with class III obesity (body mass index >40 kg/m2) participating in a population-based biobank of similar ancestry. Twenty-two haplotype tagging SNPs, capturing the entire CNR1 gene locus plus 15 kb upstream and 5 kb downstream, were genotyped and tested for association with clinical lipid data. This biobank contains data from 645 morbidly obese study subjects. In these subjects, a common CNR1 haplotype (H3, frequency 21.1%) is associated with fasting TG and HDL cholesterol levels (p = 0.031 for logTG; p = 0.038 for HDL-C; p = 0.00376 for log[TG/HDL-C]). The strength of this relationship increases when the data are adjusted for age, gender, body mass index, diet and physical activity. Mean TG levels were 160±70, 155±70, and 120±60 mg/dL for subjects with 0, 1, and 2 copies of the H3 haplotype. Mean HDL-C levels were 45±10, 47±10, and 48±9 mg/dL, respectively. The H3 CNR1 haplotype appears to exert a protective effect against development of obesity-related dyslipidemia

Spanish Production Among Middle-School Latina/o Emerging Bilinguals in Miami, Florida

This case study explores the Spanish speaking and writing practices of middle-school Latina/o youth in Miami, Florida. Its ethnographic approach aims to re-present students learning English as a second language as emerging bilinguals (Escamilla, 2006; García, 2009) who access, maintain, and develop their first language to varying degrees while learning English. Through my position as an attached member (Wax, 1971) of a Spanish-English dual language school, I examined students' Spanish production within larger socio-historical and institutional frames of reference. Shadowing students in their Spanish-instruction classes (e.g., Mathematics, Humanities, and Spanish), I drew from observations, student work, interviews with students, educators and parents, and student focus groups. Analysis of data sources reveal that students, together with influential adults, created and received messages about language--ideologies of language as standard, evolving, and dynamic. Youth engaged in normative translanguaging and transliteracy practices in mathematics class; confronted institutionally-created labels and articulated their bilingual identities as members of two language programs; and developed their Spanish writing as part of varying, yet often prescriptive, literacy instruction. This study adds to the limited research on Latina/o middle-school experiences and K-12 heritage language education. This research has pedagogical and language policy implications for those who educate and oversee the education of bilingual youth

Book Review: Waiting for Normal, Leslie Connor

Book Review: Waiting for Normal / Written by Leslie Connor / Harper Collins, 2008, 304 pp. / ISBN: 978-0-06-089088-9This material published in WOW Review is made available by the Worlds of Words: Center of Global Literacies and Literatures, College of Education at the University of Arizona, and the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact [email protected], (520) 621-9340

Dual Language Instruction and Achievement: A Need and a Void in the Midwest

In recent years, the benefits of bilingualism through dual language (DL) education models have been well documented. Despite evidence of bilinguals\u27 heightened cognition and achievement, Midwestern English language learners (ELLs) are relegated to language programs that do nothing to enhance or maintain students\u27 native language. This descriptive study employed a survey to collect data on existing DL programs across the state of Illinois (the largest population of ELLs in the Midwest), to better understand the challenges facing DL educators and administrators in the nation\u27s middle. Data suggests the predominant obstacle encountered by school administrators is a lack of qualified DL educators, including an inadequate knowledge of dual language pedagogy and/or limited academic language biliteracy. Dual language program expansion across the Midwest can only continue if the teacher shortage and development needs are addressed. This study presents recommendations for DL teacher preparation and professional development

Congenic mapping identifies a novel Idd9 subregion regulating type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse develops spontaneous T1D and has been used extensively to study the genetic control of this disease. T1D is suppressed in NOD mice congenic for the C57BL/10 (B10)-derived Idd9 resistance region on chromosome 4. Previous studies conducted by other investigators have identified four subregions (Idd9.1, Idd9.2, Idd9.3, and Idd9.4) where B10-derived genes suppress T1D development in NOD mice. We independently generated and characterized six congenic strains containing B10-derived intervals that partially overlap with the Idd9.1 and Idd9.4 regions. T1D incidence studies have revealed a new B10-derived resistance region proximal to Idd9.1. Our results also indicated that a B10-derived gene(s) within the Idd9.4 region suppressed the diabetogenic activity of CD4 T cells and promoted CD103 expression on regulatory T cells indicative of an activated phenotype. In addition, we suggest the presence of a B10-derived susceptibility gene(s) in the Idd9.1/Idd9.4 region. These results provide additional information to improve our understanding of the complex genetic control by the Idd9 region. Immunogenetics 2017; 69:193-198

Effect of H3 haplocopy on lipid traits (mean ± SD).

<p>Effect of H3 haplocopy on lipid traits (mean ± SD).</p