Learning the Language
Education Week reporters covered English-language learners, bilingual education, and civil rights issues and explored the educational, policy, and social issues surrounding ELLs in U.S. schools. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: English language learners and bilingual education.
Equity & Diversity
Democrats in Congress Revive DREAM Act for Young Undocumented Immigrants
The proposal, designed to protect Dreamers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status, likely faces an uphill battle to win support this time around from the Republican-led U.S. Senate and President Donald Trump.
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.
Curriculum
High-Quality Teaching Materials for ELLs Is Goal of New Initiative
The first products of a multi-district purchasing group that aims to improve curricula for English-learners are middle school math materials, designed with the goal of preparing more ELLs to take Algebra I by 9th grade.
Equity & Diversity
Democrats Push for Law to Ban ICE Agents From Schools, Bus Stops
If the "Protect Sensitive Locations Act" law gains traction in Congress, the legislation may not fully clear up confusion around the obligations that schools must balance when dealing with immigration agents: ensuring the safety and privacy of their students while still cooperating with federal officials.
English-Language Learners
Differentiated Instruction for English-Learners: A Visual Guide
In a nearly three-minute video, a pair of veteran ELL teachers outline advice on how educators can identify students' individual strengths, needs, and interests and develop lesson plans that are accessible to all English-learners.
English-Language 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-Language 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-Language 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.
Federal
DACA Status Update: In Place for Now, But Resolution Remains Elusive
U.S. Supreme Court took no action on the Trump administration's request to review DACA. Meanwhile, President Trump wants to link the fate of DACA recipients, thousands of whom work and learn in public schools, to his demand for $5.7 billion to fund a border wall.
English-Language 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-Language 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-Language 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.
Equity & Diversity
Report: Deportation Fear Grips Immigrant and Refugee Students in U.S. Schools
The new report from the United Nations makes the argument that the current immigration policies of the U.S. government create too many barriers for students who are immigrants or refugees.
English-Language 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.