The number of dual language immersion (DLI) programs in U.S. public schools more than tripled between 2010 and 2021, from roughly 1,000 to over 3,600, according to the American Councils Research Center’s national canvass. That growth is good news. But a program’s existence tells you nothing about its quality, and the accountability systems built between… Continue reading How to Measure Dual Language Program Quality: 4 Indicators Beyond Test Scores
Here is a question teachers are likely asking themselves: “I love the idea of translanguaging, but I only speak English. Isn’t this for bilingual teachers?” It’s the most common question we hear, and it rests on a misunderstanding that quietly blocks one of the most powerful, lowest-cost supports available to multilingual learners. Translanguaging is not… Continue reading Translanguaging Strategies for Monolingual Teachers in a Multilingual Classroom
Across the U.S., districts continue searching for sustainable teacher shortage solutions, especially in bilingual education and English learner programs, and many are exploring how a teacher apprenticeship program can help strengthen educator pipelines from within their existing workforce. Vacancies remain difficult to fill and multilingual student populations continue to grow. In fact, at the start… Continue reading Teacher Apprenticeship Program for Transforming Bilingual Paraprofessionals into Certified Educators
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?
