English language learners and technology: Applying Universal Design for Learning and the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol in the evaluation of literacy support software

The population of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students in U.S. schools has been steadily increasing. These students do not experience equal educational opportunity in U.S. secondary schools. CLD students need to develop English literacy as well as content knowledge to attain equal educational opportunity. Teachers of CLD students need techniques and tools which support CLD students in mastering the content expected of secondary school students while acquiring English literacy.; The criteria for effective lesson design and delivery inherent in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) and the criteria for designing curriculum without barriers to access inherent in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) are combined into a researcher-created assessment tool, the Literacy Support Software Evaluation Protocol (LSSEP). Nine software applications are evaluated for their effective use with CLD students. The LSSEP is made available for use on other literacy support software by contacting the author.