What is the most appropriate next step for a teacher concerned about a student's oral language development?

Collaborating with the school's speech-language pathologist is the most appropriate next step for a teacher concerned about a student's oral language development. Speech-language pathologists are trained professionals who specialize in communication disorders and can provide valuable insights and strategies to support the student. They can conduct assessments to identify specific areas of difficulty in oral language and recommend targeted interventions. Additionally, this collaboration allows for a more personalized approach to fostering the student's language skills, ensuring that the strategies being implemented are tailored to the child's unique needs.

In contrast, simply setting higher expectations for retellings may not address the underlying issues the student is facing. Assigning more reading homework could overwhelm the student without addressing their specific language development needs, and changing the reading materials altogether may not significantly impact the oral language challenges without the right support and strategies. Therefore, working with a speech-language pathologist is the most effective way to ensure that the student's oral language development is accurately assessed and appropriately supported.