The only organization dedicated solely to helping state boards advance equity and excellence in public education.

Supporting a Diverse Early Childhood Workforce for Dual Language Learners


As the ethnic, racial, and cultural diversity of U.S. classrooms for young children continues to increase, it is more important than ever for early childhood educators to be prepared to meet the needs of the one in three U.S. children age 8 and under who are dual language learners (DLLs). High-quality early childhood education (ECE) programs can help ready these children for kindergarten and for learning in a new language, but their pre-K enrollment lags behind their non-DLL peers. This NASBE policy update urges state boards of education to adopt a vision for supporting young DLLs that includes developing the cultural and linguistic competence of the ECE workforce.


Supporting a Diverse Early Childhood Workforce for Dual Language Learners



Related Content

  • State Boards Engage in Cross-System Collaboration to Support the Early Childhood Workforce

    For Immediate Release: August 14, 2018 Contact: Renée Rybak Lang, renee.lang@nasbe.org, 703-740-4841 State Boards Engage in Cross-System Collaboration to Support the Early Childhood Workforce Alexandria, VA—Often touted as key to reducing overlap and inefficiency and increasing policy alignment, collaboration across agencies and organizations with varying jurisdictions and authority can be difficult. A new NASBE policy […]



Featured Items

Multiracial group of teachers walking in school hallway. Image credit: iStock i

Strengthening the Principal Pipeline through State Leadership Academies

Missouri, Delaware, and North Carolina have developed evidence-based professional learning for current and prospective school leaders to increase their effectiveness and reduce turnover.
A multi-ethnic group of seven children standing in a row in a school hallway, laughing and smiling at the camera. The little boys and girls are kindergarten or preschool age, 4 to 6 years. i

State Advances in Early Childhood Education Seed Plans for 2024

In 2023, several states made significant strides toward universal pre-K, increased funding and support for early educators, and improved literacy and math instruction.
Business people sitting on books. Image credit: iStock i

Curriculum That Counts

Authors in this issue of the Standard draw lessons from a spectrum of state policies that are being used to increase the adoption of high-quality curriculum.

Upcoming Events

From the States