Immigrants

Education news, analysis, and opinion about immigrants, immigrants’ children and immigration
The Russellville City School District has worked to meet the needs of an influx of Hispanic students over the last few years through a number of methods, including hiring nearly a dozen new bilingual aides. Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here before a class at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022, is one of the bilingual aides.
To meet the needs of a growing English learner population, Russellville City Schools has hired 10 new bilingual aides, including Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here before a class at West Elementary on Dec. 9, 2022.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English-Language Learners In Their Own Words A Bilingual Aide Explains the Value of Representation for English Learners
Elizabeth Alonzo now provides the support she didn't get in school: Someone who speaks and values her first language.
Ileana Najarro, January 30, 2023
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3 min read
Students ride the bus home from Russellville Middle School in Russellville, Alabama, on Dec. 9, 2022.
Students ride the bus home from Russellville Middle School in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
Tamika Moore for Education Week
English-Language Learners Project After Early Success With English Learners, Can a District Keep Its Momentum?
The Alabama school system's gains are threatened by time-limited funding, unaddressed needs at the secondary level, and moribund state policy.
Ileana Najarro, January 30, 2023
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11 min read
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English-Language Learners Video Teachers, Try This: Incorporate Students' Home Languages Into Your Classrooms
One Texas teacher utilizes her ELL students’ home languages to build community.
Lauren Santucci, December 15, 2022
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2:56
Equity & Diversity Spotlight Spotlight on Inclusion
This Spotlight will help you evaluate the negative treatment LGBTQ+ students experience, discover the positives of unified sports, and more.

December 15, 2022
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English-Language Learners Video From Afghanistan to Austin, One Refugee Student’s Experience
After the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, Austin's school district received 319 refugee students. Here, one middle schooler's experience.
Lauren Santucci, December 1, 2022
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4:32
Wed., November 09, 2022, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
English-Language Learners Webinar Engaging English Learners With Asset-Based Approaches
Discover asset-based approaches to drive engagement amongst English learner students.
Register
November 9, 2022
Emily Francis
Emily Francis
Courtesy of Seidlitz Education
Teaching Profession Q&A Immigrant Teacher's Memoir Sheds Light on What English Learners Need
Emily Francis came to the United States at 15. Now an English-as-a-second-language teacher, she shares advice in her new book.
Ileana Najarro, October 25, 2022
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5 min read
Conceptual illustration of a garden growing from adversity
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty
Student Well-Being Opinion ‘The Timing Is Critical’: How Schools Can Help Refugee Students
Two clinical psychologists suggest several low-cost and effective interventions to help welcome refugee and immigrant families.
Jeffrey P. Winer & Luna A. Mulder, September 30, 2022
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5 min read
Eric Parker teaches a class NW Classen High that has immigrant students and he has a flag representing each, which is a way to make them feel welcome, Tuesday, September 10, 2019.
Eric Parker, a teacher at Northwest Classen High School in Oklahoma City, displays flags representing the countries some of his students come from in this September 2019 photo. It's a way to make immigrant students feel welcome.
Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman via AP
English-Language Learners Want to Support Immigrant Students? Get Creative With Funding
Immigrant student supports can vary widely, but there's one common thread: Districts must get creative to fund them sustainably.
Ileana Najarro, September 27, 2022
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5 min read
Student teacher Olivia Vazquez, standing, left, speaks with a student at the Eliza B. Kirkbride School in Philadelphia, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021. Vazquez is finishing up her last semester at Swarthmore College and hoping to help make sure immigrant students arriving in Philadelphia have a more supportive experience in school than she did growing up.
Student-teacher Olivia Vazquez, left, speaks with a student at the Eliza B. Kirkbride School in Philadelphia on Oct. 20. Vazquez hopes to make sure immigrant students arriving in the city have a more supportive experience in school than she did growing up.
Matt Rourke/AP
English-Language Learners Immigrant Students Are Under Pressure. Four Ways Districts Can Support Them
As the immigrant student population grows nationwide, experts offer advice on best practices to support these students and their families.
Ileana Najarro, September 23, 2022
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4 min read
Conceptual image of the shadows of people cast across a United States flag
Alxey Pnferov/iStock
English-Language Learners Is Federal Funding for Immigrant Students Falling Short?
Title III's strict eligibility requirements may hamper efforts to support immigrant students, a new report contends.
Ileana Najarro, September 20, 2022
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6 min read
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Getty
Law & Courts Leaked Abortion Draft Has Supreme Court Education Cases in Political Cross-Hairs
Conservatives have taken aim at decisions on educating immigrants, race in admissions, and religion. Liberals have some cases in mind, too.
Mark Walsh, May 10, 2022
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8 min read
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference in Austin, Texas, on June 8, 2021.
Eric Gay/AP
States Texas Governor Sparks Backlash With Talk of Rolling Back Free School for Immigrant Kids
Critics assailed Republican Gov. Greg Abbott's idea as “hare-brained” and “cruel.”
Robert T. Garrett, The Dallas Morning News, May 6, 2022
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5 min read
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten passes out books to Ukrainian refugees at a makeshift school in a hostel in Warsaw, Poland, on April 4, 2022.
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten passes out books to Ukrainian refugees at a makeshift school in a hostel in Warsaw, Poland, on April 4.
Courtesy of Asher Huey
International Q&A 'Tell American Students to Be Grateful': What Ukrainian Refugees Told AFT's President
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten traveled to Poland to meet with Ukrainian students and teachers.
Madeline Will, April 5, 2022
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4 min read
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