Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Education has released guidance to help districts better serve English language learners, especially as they transition to the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act.
- The guidance covers fiscal questions relating to use of Title III funds and information about effective, research-based programs that can serve English language learners, special considerations for subpopulations of English learners (including those with disabilities, early learners and immigrant students) and the rights of English learners under civil rights law.
- Nearly 5 million students in K-12 schools are learning English, and they make up almost 10% of the national student population — but research shows they are less likely to have access to high-quality teachers, advanced coursework and services they need to be ready for college and career.
Dive Insight:
Just a day before releasing its guidance for educating English language learners, the department announced $22 million in grants to improve instruction for these students through professional development and better training for their teachers. With nearly 50 grants, the money is expected to reach 4,500 future teachers and 10,746 current teachers, an important step toward addressing the extreme shortage in qualified teachers for English learners.
In addition to the services schools are obligated to provide to English language learners, administrators should keep in mind their responsibilities to the parents of these children. Civil Rights law makes clear that immigrant parents who do not get the benefit of equal access to information and services through their child’s school because of language barriers are being discriminated against based on national origin. Every district should have a comprehensive plan for providing interpretation and translation services to those who need them.