ESCOLAR: Improving Education Equity for Students with Disabilities and English Learners through Online Science Units

Even with recent advancements, education inequities in science remain for students with learning disabilities (SWLDs) and English learners (ELs), as evidenced through poor national assessment performance. When leveraged appropriately, educational technology provides a pathway for disadvantaged students to receive equal learning access. Project ESCOLAR is one approach that provides free online science curriculum for middle school students, with scaffolding for SWLDs and ELs. Results of a randomized controlled trial indicated that the units significantly improved science learning for all students, and specifically for general education students, SWLDs, and ELs. Further, findings showed that the curriculum follows guidelines for best practices in providing equitable learning environments. This study shows promise for educational technology's ability to promote education equity across disadvantaged subgroups.