Helping Every Student Thrive

School Partnership Aims to Address Misdiagnosis of Bilingual Learners

Elementary schools across south Texas are teaming up with researchers in the College of Education and Human Development to improve how we identify language and reading disorders in bilingual students as early as kindergarten.

Dr. Marc Goodrich of our Department of Teaching, Learning and Culture is leading the effort, funded by a $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, along with a team of student researchers. Their work is driven by research suggesting that language and reading disorders are frequently misidentified in the United States. Goodrich adds, “This results in students not receiving the support they need to be successful in school, among other potential negative outcomes.”

To address this issue, Goodrich and his team are evaluating and refining current testing tools and assessments to better identify bilingual students at risk for language or reading disorders. Their goal is to help schools more accurately identify which students need support so they can receive the right resources at the right time.

Click the video above for Dr. Goodrich’s insights on better identifying bilingual students’ learning needs.

The project also provides an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students in our college to gain more experience in applied research. “I have done a bit of everything as an undergraduate research assistant,” Rachel Williams ’26 said. “Before joining the team, the idea of being a researcher had never crossed my mind, but now I can’t see another reality for myself.”

While the testing period will continue through 2029, Goodrich and his collaborators at the University of South Carolina will share all their findings and recommendations with all participating schools, as well as through free publications and conferences.

“All of these are methods we use to help ensure our findings get out to schools and teachers,” Goodrich said. “We want educators to have the best information and tools possible to support their students and families.”

For media inquiries, contact Ruben Hidalgo.