Analysis of English Language Learners Educational Outcomes Using WSM Method A Multi-Criteria Decision Making Approach

This study examines the factors that influence Academic performance of English language learners (ELLs), using weighted sum method (WSM). It analyzed five key factors—school characteristics, teacher influence, student fixed effects, intercept values, and treatment approaches—in four student groups: all students, non-ELLs, former ELLs, and recently reclassified ELLs. Through an in-depth quantitative analysis using normalized data for all categories and standardized weights of 0.35, the study revealed important patterns regarding the relative importance of these factors. Student fixed effects were found to be the most influential factor with the highest priority score (1.09753), followed by teacher influence (1.05052), treatment approaches (0.88553), intercept (0.76822), and school characteristics (0.45418). Analysis of the normalized data showed differential impacts across different ELL categories, with recently reclassified ELLs showing higher treatment scores (95.743) and former ELLs showing stronger school performance (92.872). The weighted normalized outcome matrix emphasized the significant effectiveness of teacher influence on recently reclassified ELLs (0.35000) and the strong impact of student fixed effects on all students and former ELLs (0.35000). These results indicate that, while school-wide interventions are important, individual student characteristics and teacher quality are more important factors in determining ELL educational success. The findings have important implications for educational policy and practice, particularly regarding resource allocation and the development of targeted intervention strategies for different ELL groups. The study recommends maintaining strong teacher support systems and individualized approaches for students, continuing to develop effective treatment strategies, and underscoring the need for differentiated approaches to ELL education based on student classification and unique needs.