Long-Term English Learners

Read more about students not yet attaining English proficiency after more than six years in school
September 15, 2026 Browne Middle School 102
Eighth graders work on math problems in a dual language class taught primarily in English at Joseph A. Browne Middle School in Chelsea, Mass. on Sept. 15, 2026. About a third of the students at the middle school are classified as English learners.
Sophie Park for Education Week
English Learners How Schools Can Better Support Older English Learners
Strategies exist to help students who carry the English-learner label beyond elementary school.
Ileana Najarro, September 21, 2026
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8 min read
Illustration by Nicole Xu showing an ELL specialist in a classroom of older students, looking at the window of the classroom door as other teachers walk by
Nicole Xu for Education Week
Special Report Supporting English Learners: Practical Solutions for Today’s Schools
How districts are navigating older English learners, AI tools, and early screening to build practical paths to success.
September 21, 2026
English learner students in Jeremy True's class work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa.
English learner students work on a reading assignment on Nov. 10, 2022, in Mason City, Iowa. Reclassification criteria can affect older English learners' access to advanced coursework.
Abby Koch/Globe-Gazette via AP
English Learners How State Reclassification Rules Impact Long-Term English Learners
Research shows how the reclassification of older English learners in Texas carries varied outcomes.
Ileana Najarro, July 29, 2026
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4 min read
Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
Sonia Pulido for Education Week
Teaching Opinion This Is the Most Effective Teaching Strategy I've Seen in 23 Years
An initiative to help students advance did just that by every measure captured.
Larry Ferlazzo, July 22, 2025
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3 min read
Photo of Latino teen studying in library.
iStock/Getty
English Learners What New Research Shows About the Academic Success of Former English Learners
A new study offers a more nuanced look at English learners' academic performance in high school by disaggregating data.
Ileana Najarro, November 20, 2024
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4 min read
Images shows colorful speech bubbles that say "Q," "&," and "A."
iStock/Getty
English Learners Opinion How to Help Long-Term English Learners Progress
Start by ditching the erroneous label and referring to the students as "experienced multilinguals" and then adjust their supports.
Larry Ferlazzo, May 16, 2023
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8 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Prevention Is the Best Way to Support Long-Term English-Learner Students'
Four educators provide recommendations on how to support Long-Term English-Learners, including providing more support to them earlier and identifying whether they have other special needs earlier, too!
Larry Ferlazzo, January 22, 2020
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17 min read
Teaching Opinion 'Make It Clear to Long-Term English-Learners That Their Voices Matter'
Six educators share advice on how to support Long-Term English-Language Learners, including emphasizing vocabulary development and academic language.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 20, 2020
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19 min read
Teaching Opinion Ways to Support Long-Term English-Language Learners
Eight educators offer their recommendations about how schools and their teachers can best support Long-Term English Language Learners, such as keeping expectations high for students.
Larry Ferlazzo, January 17, 2020
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22 min read
English Learners Itinerant English-Learners Pose Challenges for School Systems
A new study that sought to examine learning conditions across the country for long-term English-learners found that 1 in 5 of the students are highly mobile, and may not have access to consistent language support as a result.
Corey Mitchell, May 23, 2019
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3 min read
English Learners ELLs Who Master English Early More Likely to Graduate On Time, Study Finds
An Arizona-based WestEd study found that long-term English-language learners struggled to graduate within four years of entering 9th grade.
Corey Mitchell, December 1, 2016
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2 min read
Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA: Ed. Dept. Releases English-Language-Learner Guidance
States and districts that get federal funding to support English-learners can use that money to help track long-term ELLs and ELLs with learning disabilities, as well as to help figure out how former ELLs are progressing, according to guidance released Friday.
Alyson Klein & Corey Mitchell, September 23, 2016
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2 min read
Kevin Pineda, 18, is due to graduate from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles in June. After years of struggling to master English, Pineda credits a course taught by Joel Miller for helping him achieve proficiency in English and putting him on track to earn his diploma.
Kevin Pineda, 18, is due to graduate from Fairfax High School in Los Angeles in June. After years of struggling to master English, Pineda credits a course taught by Joel Miller for helping him achieve proficiency in English and putting him on track to earn his diploma.
Emile Wamsteker for Education Week
Federal For Stalled ELL Students, Graduation Is Often an Elusive Goal
Long-term English-learners—those who are not considered proficient for five or more years—are at a great risk of dropping out of school. What can schools do to keep these students on track to graduate?
Alyson Klein, May 11, 2016
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11 min read
Equity & Diversity 'Leaders to Learn From' Honoree Relates to Struggle That Long-Term ELLs Face
"I have a real connection, not only with the immigrant journey, but the English language journey," says Anaheim Union High School District Superintendent Michael Matsuda.
Corey Mitchell, February 24, 2016
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1 min read