WHY

It is estimated that by 2030, 40 percent of all U.S. K–12 students will be English learners (ELs). As the population of multilingual students increases, we must ask ourselves, are we fully prepared to support them? California, home to the largest EL population nationwide, has over 1,999,293 "Ever-ELs" enrolled in public K-12 schools as of 2023-2024, along with an annual influx of 150,000 to 200,000 immigrant (newcomer) students who have attended U.S. schools for less than three years. These newcomers often require specialized academic instruction and social services to succeed, and are commonly classified under umbrella terms such as SAFE (Students with Adequate or Ample Formal Education) or SLIFE (Students with Limited and/or Interrupted Formal Education).

It is crucial for California educators to effectively reach and teach these unique subtypes of English learners. Research indicates that 70 percent of SLIFE students face a high risk of not graduating with a standard diploma, with adolescent SLIFE students being particularly vulnerable to academic challenges. Despite concerted efforts, many districts struggle to create the conditions necessary for newcomer success, resulting in high dropout rates and limited academic progress due to inaccessible instruction and limited access to support services. Teachers and administrators must be equipped with the right tools and training to support student learning both inside and outside the classroom.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How will we equip teachers and administrators to address the diverse cultural, emotional, linguistic, and digital needs of our newcomer students?