How Districts are Accountable for Bilingual Programs

Compared to previous years, the 2015 Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) increased the flexibility for states on how they hold districts accountable for bilingual programs and other programs in reducing achievement gaps and improving outcomes, stated the Migration Policy organization. Though accountability is just one piece of the school improvement puzzle, advocates for marginalized students are expressing concern over attempts to roll them back.

In fact, a March 2017 article by the organization said the House of Representatives voted to overturn guidelines on state accountability plans. With ESSA already handing over most of the authority for accountability and assessment to the states, it’s too soon to know the effects of a repeal. However, it will be up to states to figure out how committed they will be in using accountability mechanisms to continue shedding light on inequities for ELLs and other groups.

Advocates have also expressed concern that the new administration will reduce federal education spending, stated the organization. Though the government’s contribution is small at only 8.7 percent, this still adds up to about $737 million, annually.

In September 2017, Education World reported that Trump’s proposed cuts to education funding for 2018 were rejected by the Senate. Among the biggest was a $1.2 billion program for summer learning and after-school programs and a $2 billion program used to train and hire teachers, said the Washington Post. When it comes to everyday instruction, however, states and local governments provide the largest amount of funding and play the most important part in making sure that ELLs’ needs are met.

Effective school districts know that one of the best ways to help ELL students succeed have been and will continue to be effective outreach programs. One organization now serving 17 states, and growing, is the Latino Family Literacy Project. To support school districts, it provides a proven literacy program that helps kids read better, build vocabulary and improve English, overall. It does this by guiding parents in establishing an at-home, reading routine using bilingual books. Teachers can attend a one-day training at a workshop near them or via an online webinar.