Evaluation of a high school Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) implementation

Many school systems across the USA have implemented sheltered instruction observation protocol (SIOP) strategies to help their English language learners (ELLs) master core content while they learn English. Most studies have reported positive results from using SIOP strategies with ELLs. Elementary and middle school studies were available, but studies of SIOP implementation in a comprehensive high school were lacking. This action research project was initiated by teacher leaders (department chairs) and the school principal. It included a year of combined SIOP training and implementation. After the first academic year of utilizing SIOP school-wide, an anonymous electronic survey was used to collect information on teacher implementation, the teachers' perceptions of students' success, and teacher plans for future use of the SIOP model.;This study was implemented in a comprehensive high school in the Rocky Mountain region. The research questions were: To what degree, do teachers having received in-service training in SIOP, report implementing the various components of the program in their daily instruction? After one school year of implementing the SIOP model, what are teachers' perceptions regarding the effectiveness of using the SIOP model with students? How does SIOP need (number of ELLs per class), class size, years of teaching experience, teaching subject, or prior English as a second language (ESL) training relate to a teacher's perception of SIOP effectiveness scale? Is the level of implementation related to the teacher's perceptions of effectiveness? Do teachers plan to use the SIOP model in the future?;Teachers reported a high degree of implementing SIOP strategies. They perceived the strategies improved student learning in most cases. There was no statistically significant relationship found between the degree of SIOP implementation and perceptions of the effectiveness of SIOP. Correlational analyses indicated that SIOP need (number or ELLS per class), class size, years of teaching experience, teaching subject, and prior ESL training did not affect the degree of implementation or perceptions of the effectiveness of the SIOP model in this comprehensive high school.