English Language Learners
English Language Learners: Highlights
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Quick link to ELL Task Force news
Costing-out study released
The State Board of Education has released the results of its "costing-out" study, which sought to determine the actual cost of educating children to the levels required by state standards. The study found that most districts were underfunded. The full report, which explored (among many other things) the extra costs associated with educating ELLs, is available from the website of the State Board of Education. For a summary of highlights, along with information on upcoming public meetings, visit our School Funding page.
English Language Learner Task Force
The ELL Task Force, staffed by ELC, is made up of educators, community leaders, advocates, parents, and others. Our goal is to improve state and local policies affecting the education of English language learners. Membership is open to anyone. See our Task Force page for more information -- including dates, times and locations for our upcoming meetings.
Things you can do
Whether or not you join the Task Force, there are steps you can take to help ELLs in PA. See our Task Force page for more information.
New rules will ensure that all teachers learn about ELLs
The State Board of Education has recently issued amendments to Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules (Chapter 49). As the Board’s summary notes, the new regulations will “requir[e] all teacher preparation programs to provide instruction to teacher education students in providing instruction to students with disabilities and English language learners in inclusive classroom settings.” There are also new continuing education requirements along the same lines. For the text of the new regulations, plus the State Board’s commentary, see http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol37/37-38/1753.html.
Members of the ELL Task Force were actively involved in pushing for these changes. While we didn’t get everything we asked for (who does?), we can fairly say that we played a role helping the State Board to address – for the first time – the need to make sure that all teachers have some understanding of the needs of ELLs.
Philadelphia agrees to provide services to ELLs in alternative school
In June 2007, the Philadelphia School District entered into a compliance agreement with the Office for Civil Rights concerning services to ELLs assigned to "Community Education Partners," a large, privately-managed alternative school. The agreement was in resolution of a complaint filed last year by ELC.
Under the agreement, the District will make sure that children assigned to disciplinary schools are evaluated to determine whether they need help learning English. The disciplinary schools will provide programs for children with limited English proficiency, and will also set up procedures for communicating with non-English-speaking parents. The Office for Civil Rights will monitor the situation until the District achieves “full compliance” with the agreement. For a news article about the agreement, click here.
New publication on legal issues and advocacy opportunities
ELC's new booklet, "English Language Learners in Pennsylvania Public Schools: Legal Issues and Advocacy Opportunities," contains notes on current problem areas affecting ELLs, as well as suggestions for actions that can be taken by parents, teachers, and other "ELL advocates." To download a copy, click here. We welcome reactions and suggestions; contact Len Rieser.
Somali students in Pittsburgh
On May 22, the Office for Civil Rights of the U.S. Department of Education accepted an agreement between ELC and the Pittsburgh Public Schools, resolving the complaint that ELC filed last year concerning the education of Somali Bantu students. Under the agreement, the School District will hire a Somali-speaking ombudsperson, provide information to families in the language they understand, expand professional development for teachers, address racial and ethnic harassment, and more. For a news article concerning the agreement, click here. For additional information, contact Nancy Hubley.
