Multilingual Learners

By now, you may know that Delaware is one of four states that does not provide additional state resources to multilingual learners – students who come from non-English speaking homes and backgrounds. 

You may also know that three out of four (75 percent) of Delaware English learners graduate high school compared to 88 percent of all Delaware students. As the number of English learners in the state continues to grow, we need to better understand this population of students so we—as schools, as parents, as advocates, as policymakers, as a community—can effectively and equitably meet their needs.

Rodel, the Arsht-Cannon Fund, Delaware Hispanic Commission, and DELLTA are proud to unveil the 2022 Delaware Multilingual Learner Fact Sheet! This brief, visual fact sheet shines a spotlight on our state’s diverse multilingual learner students—the supports they need to thrive, the challenges in the system, and the latest data on Delaware’s fastest growing student population. Read more and explore today.

Multilingual Learner Fact Sheet Series:

Partners

This fact sheet series is being developed through a partnership of the following organizations:

Delaware EL News and Resources 

  • New Delaware Certificate of Multiliteracy recognizes advanced language skills. (Delaware State News, 2017):Delaware has developed a new Certificate of Multiliteracy to honor and recognize students with high levels of language proficiency in in multiple languages.
  • State Education English Language Learners Resources.(Delaware Department of Education, 2017): From the Title III Guidebook to teacher resources, this page offers various resources for supporting English Language Learners in Delaware.
  • Delaware English Learner Strategic Plan (December 2017) — Joined by community leaders and educators, Governor John Carney unveiled Delaware’s English Learner Strategic Plan and asked a group of community leaders to help Delaware improve its delivery of services to English learners with the creation of the Governor’s Advisory Council for English Learners.

National Resources 

  • Colorín Colorado. A bilingual site with research, resources, tools for advocates, educators and families of English learners.
  • 50-State Comparison: English Language Learners. (Education Commission of the States, 2014) 50-state comparisons showing how all states approach English language learners policies including funding, teacher quality and parent engagement.
  • Spotlight on English-Language Learners. (Education Week, 2017) This collection of articles offers research-based insights on bilingual and dual-language approaches to language development, ESSA’s impact on ELs, and common misconceptions.