By Celeste Dorantes

As the nation’s demographics shift, schools must create an equitable and positive learning environment for all students, including English learner (EL) students. ELs hold diverse identities, some arriving from around the world as newcomers and others who are U.S. citizens born into immigrant families. Despite several laws passed over the years to protect the educational rights of ELs, they still often encounter barriers to educational achievement. ELs disproportionately come from families with low incomes and low parental education attainment, leading to a widened racial achievement gap. Adopting effective EL programs in public schools enables these students to fully and equitably participate both in the classroom and in broader society.

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