English Learners A Washington Roundup

U.S., District Reach Settlement on English-Language Learners

By Mary Ann Zehr — September 22, 2004 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

The Department of Justice has reached a legal settlement with the North Plainfield, N.J., school district regarding the instruction of English-language learners.

The agreement requires the district to provide “timely assessment” of English-language learners and monitor their academic progress as well as to provide a high-quality curriculum and sufficient library and teach er resources for them, the department said in a Sept. 7 press release.

Marilyn E. Birnbaum, the superintendent of the 3,300-student district, said the Justice Department first inquired about the school system’s instruction of English-language learners during the 2002-03 school year. At that time, 9 percent of its high school students and 12 percent of its elementary students were English-language learners.

She said the district has always provided a strong curriculum for English-language learners but will strive to improve, such as by ensuring that identification methods are consistent at all schools.

Events

Artificial Intelligence K-12 Essentials Forum How AI Use Is Expanding in K-12 Schools
Join this free virtual event to explore how AI technology is—and is not—improving K-12 teaching and learning.
Federal Webinar The Trump Budget and Schools: Subscriber Exclusive Quick Hit
EdWeek subscribers, join this 30-minute webinar to find out what the latest federal policy changes mean for K-12 education.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Curriculum Webinar
End Student Boredom: K-12 Publisher's Guide to 70% Engagement Boost
Calling all K-12 Publishers! Student engagement flatlining? Learn how to boost it by up to 70%.
Content provided by KITABOO

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

English Learners How Schools Build Dual-Language Programs for Less Commonly Taught Languages
Researchers highlight some of the unique solutions to challenges faced when teaching in less commonly taught languages.
5 min read
Third grade teacher Ambreen Bhatti leads a lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.
Third grade teacher Ambreen Bhatti leads a lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.
Rachel Jessen for Education Week
English Learners Spotlight Spotlight on Supporting Emergent Bilinguals
This Spotlight will explore strategies to best support English learners in their language acquisition and academic success.
English Learners Video How Translanguaging Works in a Dual Language Program
Students in a N.C. dual-language program learn core subjects in both English and Urdu, preserving heritage and boosting bilingual skills.
1 min read
English Learners Who Will Support English Learners? Experts Warn of Crisis
The U.S. Department of Education's reduced staff and eliminated the office of English language acquisition as a standalone agency.
8 min read
Photograph of a classroom of English learners at their desks with paper and digital tablets.
iStock/Getty