Project ASSETS: Elevating English Learner Education Through Professional Development and Storytelling
Project ASSETS (Accelerating Student Success for ELs Through Scaffolded Support) is a five-year initiative that’s making a meaningful difference in the lives of educators and the multilingual learners they serve. Funded by a National Professional Development (NPD) grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the project is led by ELPA21 at UCLA’s National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) in partnership with the Nebraska and Ohio Departments of Education. Through a blend of professional development, family engagement, and educator storytelling, Project ASSETS is helping build more inclusive classrooms and communities grounded in connection, collaboration, and care.
A Comprehensive, Research-Based Professional Development Program
At the heart of Project ASSETS is an 18-month professional development experience designed to support and train over 300 content area educators who work with English learners in grades K-12. The program includes six in-depth, synchronous workshops that explore instructional strategies, academic language development, formative assessment, differentiated instruction, and family engagement. In addition to these workshops, participating educators join monthly Communities of Practice (CoPs), where they collaborate, reflect, and receive feedback from peers and facilitators in real time.
Educators who complete the full program earn a micro-credential developed in partnership with the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) — a digital EL Educator Badge recognizing their commitment to excellence in multilingual learner instruction.
The training aligns with recommendations from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guide and emphasizes two evidence-based recommendations: teaching academic vocabulary intensively using multiple modalities and integrating oral and written English language instruction into content-area lessons. These practices are grounded in strong research and made practical through coaching, collaboration, and real-world application.
Creating Sustainable Professional Learning Communities
Project ASSETS isn’t just about delivering content, it’s about building a professional community. The monthly Communities of Practice create space for teachers to share their experiences, reflect on what’s working, and troubleshoot common challenges. These sessions foster a sense of shared purpose and provide ongoing support that helps educators apply what they’ve learned in meaningful, lasting ways.
Empowering Families Through the Family Leadership Institute
A standout feature of Project ASSETS is its family connection component. Through a partnership with Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch—veteran, author, motivational speaker, and founder of The Family Leadership Institute (FLI)—the project delivers an impactful parallel program designed to engage and empower families. By the program’s conclusion in 2026, the goal is to have equipped 400 parents and caregivers of English learners with tools to support learning at home and engage more effectively with schools.
FLI participants attend literacy development workshops, receive guidance on navigating school systems, and build leadership skills that promote advocacy and meaningful collaboration. Consuelo Kickbusch’s dynamic presence and inspiring message about the power of family, culture, and education add a personal and motivational dimension that resonates deeply with participants.
By bringing families into the educational process as empowered partners, the FLI strengthens the support network around each student and contributes to more inclusive, responsive school communities.
Sharing Educator Stories Through Podcasting
To extend the reach of the project and elevate educator voices, Project ASSETS also includes a podcast and digital storytelling component. Hosted by ELPA21’s Director of Product Development and Strategic Partnerships, Dr. Jobi Lawrence, The ASSETS Podcast features educators and experts who represent a broad spectrum of expertise in the field of English learner education. Guests include classroom teachers, instructional coaches, researchers, administrators, and policy leaders—each offering unique perspectives on their work with multilingual learners and the educational systems that support them.
The podcast offers a window into the real-world challenges and successes of EL instruction. It humanizes the professional learning journey, surfaces practical insights that educators can apply in their own contexts, and reinforces the project’s belief that the most valuable guidance often comes from those closest to the work.
Over 35 episodes of The ASSETS Podcast are available now for free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with an additional 25 episodes currently in production.
Listen to The ASSETS Podcast on Spotify
Listen to The ASSETS Podcast on Apple Podcasts
Funding and Development Partners
Project ASSETS is made possible by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Professional Development program. It is led by ELPA21 at UCLA CRESST, in close collaboration with the Nebraska Department of Education, participating Nebraska school districts, and the National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE). These partnerships ensure that the program remains both research-informed and deeply connected to the needs of local educators and communities.
Final Cohort Enrollment Now Open
As Project ASSETS enters its final year, recruitment is now open for the last cohort of participating educators. This group will begin on June 9, 2025, and registration is open for educators working in Nebraska and Ohio through June 6, 2025.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining a nationally recognized professional development program that supports equitable instruction for English and multilingual learners, this is the time to sign up!
Project ASSETS has brought together researchers, educators, and families in a shared effort to support multilingual learners. With its combination of professional development, family engagement, and powerful storytelling, the project continues to inspire change in classrooms and communities across the country.
To learn more or to register for the final cohort, visit the links below: