Bilingual Education
Learn more about the education model where students are taught part of the day in their first language and the rest of the day in a language that is new to them, typically English
English Learners
Should 'English-Only' States Test ELLs in Their Native Languages?
New legislation introduced in Florida, which educates more than 300,000 English-learners in public schools, would allow ELLs to take state tests in their native languages. The bill would allow school districts to bypass the state's Every Student Succeeds Act plan, but could face several hurdles to approval.
School & District Management
Leading Scholars Criticize Study on 3rd Grade Retention of English-Learners
A group of prominent researchers on English-learners is forcefully challenging the findings of a recent working paper that posits that 3rd grade retention was a benefit to struggling English-learners in Florida.
English Learners
English-Learners and Reclassification: Principals Play Pivotal Role, Study Finds
Principals have the power to ensure English-language learners get an equitable education, but many don't realize how much influence they wield, a new study on school leadership concludes.
English Learners
Study: Repeating 3rd Grade Could Help Struggling English-Learners
New research shows that requiring struggling English-learners to repeat 3rd grade could boost their academic trajectories, helping them learn English faster and take more advanced classes once they reach middle and high school.
English Learners
Ed Dept. Toolkit Offers Guidance for English-Learner, Immigrant Parents
The first two chapters of the department's new "English Learner Family Toolkit" delivers tips on how to enroll children in school and a offers a look at how schools in the United States differ from those in other countries.
English Learners
Do Schools Value the Bilingualism of English-Learners?
What started out as an effort to promote educational equity for English-language learners in California may be morphing into something else as more states pass legislation that honors high school graduates who demonstrate fluency in two or more languages with a special "seal of biliteracy."
English Learners
Study: Language Barriers Can Steer Immigrant Students to STEM Courses
Using federal data, the researchers traced the academic trajectories of immigrant children who entered the United States before age 16. They found that foreign-born students earn 20 percent more credits in math-intensive courses than English-based courses while in high school.
English Learners
Betsy DeVos Appoints Interim Leader for Hispanic Education Initiative
In her new role, Andrea Ramirez will be responsible for coordinating efforts to address the needs of the nation's nearly 13 million Hispanic students. She will continue to serve as executive director of the Center for Faith and Opportunity Initiatives at the U.S. Department of Education.
English Learners
Reported Essay
The Truth About Bilingualism: It's Only for Some Students
The widespread embrace of foreign-language instruction is raising some uncomfortable questions. Corey Mitchell explains the inclusion problem at the heart of bilingual education.
English Learners
English-Learners and Social Media: Can Facebook Boost Literacy in Two Languages?
A team of researchers from the University of Minnesota found that using Facebook as a platform for English-language learner writing and engagement helped students build confidence, reduced inhibitions about producing written English, and paved the way for more complex language use.
English Learners
English-Learners Often Denied Full Access to STEM Education, Report Finds
"It is imperative that ELs have the same quality of STEM-related learning opportunities as their never EL peers," a new study concludes.
English Learners
The Five Most Common Native Languages of English-Learners
Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole are the most prevalent native languages spoken by English-learners in America's public schools, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education.
Assessment
Most States Failing to Meet English-Learner Academic Targets, Report Finds
Over the past decade, English-learner enrollment in K-12 schools has increased by more than 100 percent in 11 states. While the number of ELL students is on the rise, the quality of education those students receive may not be keeping pace.
Federal
DeVos' Approval of Florida's ESSA Plan Is Bad for English-Learners, Advocates Say
The state's plan for educating English-language learners under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act falls short of equity for the state's 300,000 ELLs, advocates argue. The education secretary and federal education officials see things differently.