The past several years have been exceptionally challenging for the nation’s five million English learners (ELs) and their families. As the pandemic recedes, schools approach normalcy, and a historic investment of federal education dollars flows to states and school districts, state education leaders face the exceptional responsibility of charting a new course for public schools and the ELs whom they serve.


Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic





Also In this Issue

Image Credit: iStock

Achieving Racial Justice in PreK-12 Education

By John B. King Jr. and Denise Forte

Progress is possible. Back to normal is not good enough.





Designing for Equity

By Hal Smith

It takes a whole community to lift up policies and practices that support equity and end those that don't.





Teacher Diversity and Student Success

By Constance A. Lindsay

State policymakers should name diversity as a marker of teacher quality.





Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

By Julie Sugarman and Melissa Lazarín

State leaders should ramp up supports for EL students and their families.






Racial Justice through Expanded Choice

By Derrell Bradford

Decoupling where students receive education from where they live is key to undoing the system's racist roots.





Supporting Youth with the Most Need

By Hailly T.N. Korman

For many, the pandemic has been just one of a host of barriers to a high-quality education.





Engaging Students through Ethnic Studies

By Woody Exley

California, Connecticut, and Texas broaden their elective offerings.





District of Columbia Embeds Antiracist Lens in Update of Social Studies Standards

By Jessica Sutter and Alexander Jue

State board tees up a revision process and standards characterized by civic engagement and cultural responsiveness.








Featured Items

Piggy bank wear mortarboard and green calculator on wooden table with white wall background copy space. Private student loan, student debt, repayment plan, expense , money management, scholarship and so on concept i

Advancing High Schoolers’ Financial Literacy

Forty-one states now require personal finance education for graduation. This analysis examines state financial literacy approaches and key drivers for success.
Close up of a little girl looking at some futuristic holograms. Concept: Technology, future, graphics i

Five Questions for State Boards to Ask about AI in Schools

GenAI is creating tremendous opportunities but also posing considerable risks and challenges for schools.
Diverse multiethnic kids students having break and using smartphones, sitting at desks in classroom, children playing games and checking social media at school i

Curbing Cell Phone Use in Classrooms

State boards are well positioned to create guardrails to help school districts make informed decisions on cell phone policies.

Upcoming Events

From the States