Author: Dr. Margaret Marcus

A teacher sends an important message about a student’s academic progress. A principal emails families about a schedule change. A district shares information about enrollment, transportation, or special education services. Increasingly, schools are turning to translation AI tools to help ensure these messages reach multilingual families quickly and in their preferred language. For English-speaking families,… Continue reading School-Home Communication Translation AI: Accuracy, Privacy, and the Human-in the-Loop Model

The Seal of Biliteracy (SOBL) has emerged as one of the clearest ways school systems can recognize multilingualism as an academic achievement. Awarded at high school graduation, the Seal certifies that a student has attained proficiency in two or more languages and places that recognition directly on their diploma or transcript. What makes the Seal… Continue reading Seal of Biliteracy as a Graduation Equity Lever: Closing the “Access Gap” (2022-2026)

A well-designed multilingual family literacy initiative won’t transform a household overnight—but when sustained and culturally responsive, it can open up long-term pathways to opportunity. That’s the promise of two-generation education models: they combine early learning for children with adult education, including ESL and workforce training, to support whole families, not just students. These programs meet… Continue reading Two-Generation Education: Multilingual Family Literacy Programs for Communities

The rise in English learner (EL) students in American K-12 schools and increased dual-language program demand have reshaped the realities facing public school leaders, making principal leadership more important than ever. While multilingual learners (MLLs) have long contributed to the cultural and academic vibrancy of schools, their growing presence, particularly in districts not historically seen… Continue reading Principal Leadership for EL Success: Building Multilingual School Champions

In today’s classrooms, bilingual teaching is becoming increasingly essential as it’s not uncommon to find several languages spoken among students. While this linguistic richness is reshaping what effective teaching looks like in the 21st century, a growing number of educators still report feeling ill-equipped to teach students who are still learning English. A 2024 RAND… Continue reading Bilingual Teaching Starts with Every Educator: Professional Development for EL Success – Copy

What happens in the brain when a child speaks two languages? According to a growing body of neuroscientific studies, it gets stronger, enhances learning capacity, and helps protect it throughout life.  Bilingualism cognitive benefits go beyond being an asset for cultural connection and communication and literally rewire the brain, building executive functioning skills that enhance… Continue reading Neuroscience and the Best Bilingualism Cognitive Benefits for Multilingual Brains

Translanguaging —the use of one’s full linguistic repertoire to convey meaning— transforms how multilingual learners (MLLs) embrace their English acquisition. This strategy, once considered unconventional, is now helping educators across the country tap into the full brilliance of multilingual learners. Far from being a niche strategy, translanguaging is supported by a growing body of teachers… Continue reading What Is Translanguaging And How Does It Actually Look Like?

Funding and innovating in education isn’t easy – there are an overwhelming amount of areas that need help. Every aspect of the educational system plays a pivotal role: Students need well-trained, culturally responsive teachers. But they also need physical resources. And support from both school staff and their families. Teachers need professional development opportunities, solid… Continue reading Elevating Student Outcomes Through Philanthropy: DC Public Education Fund’s Story