Melissa Latham Keh

Melissa Latham Keh is faculty in the Special Education Department at Bridgewater State University. Her academic work focuses on supporting English language learners through research on bilingualism, language maintenance and shift, and reading assessment methodologies. Prior to 2016, she was affiliated with the Special Education and Communication Disorders Department before it split into two separate departments.

Dr. Keh's research takes an asset-based perspective on multilingual students, examining how linguistic diversity impacts educational outcomes. Her work spans several key areas including miscue analysis for evaluating English learners' reading patterns, language maintenance across the lifespan, and effective assessment methods for ESL teacher candidates. She has published extensively on how educators can better support students with diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Her publications from 2015-2018 reveal consistent focus on practical applications for classroom teachers, with particular attention to distinguishing between language acquisition challenges and actual reading difficulties. Dr. Keh's work helps educators develop more effective strategies for teaching English language learners while honoring their linguistic backgrounds.

Dr. Keh has collaborated with colleagues including Saskia Stoessel and Emily Spitzman on various research projects. Her plenary presentation on work-life balance at BSU demonstrates her engagement with broader academic issues beyond her immediate research specialty.

Her research has practical implications for teacher preparation programs, classroom assessment practices, and educational policies affecting multilingual students. Dr. Keh's work provides valuable insights for educators seeking to implement more equitable and effective practices for English language learners.