Commentary author
Oscar Jiménez-Castellanos
Summary

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected English learners (ELs) across participation rates, learning setbacks, health concerns, and parental disconnection. California's plan to reopen K–12 schools in fall 2021 coincides with a $15.3 billion influx from the American Rescue Plan to assist in reopening safely and address student needs. Each district must outline their use of these funds by June 1, 2021, with 20 percent dedicated to tackling learning loss. To benefit ELs, ten evidence-based recommendations are proposed. These include comprehensive fund use, leveraging cultural assets, tailored support, high-quality programs addressing language and culture, multilingual health services, parent engagement, educator training, reduced class sizes, and hybrid learning models. The piece emphasizes learning from past funding mistakes to provide progressive and equitable education for all, emphasizing the diverse needs of ELs in California's public schools.

April 30, 2021 | EdSource

Like a Category 4 hurricane, Covid-19 has undermined the state’s newly built California School Dashboard and system of state and county support for schools deemed to need help for poor performance. It could be a few years before the system...

April 30, 2021 | The Free Lance-Star

The ability to read fluently and comprehend what you read is, hands down, the most important academic skill a child needs to master to be successful in school and later in adult life. There is no substitute for a lack...

January 22, 2021 | Education Week

As districts, schools, and families navigate a new normal following the abrupt end of in-person schooling this spring, students’ learning opportunities vary enormously across the nation. Access to devices and broadband internet and a secure learning environment are just a...