Multilingual learners (also commonly referred to as English Learners or English Language Learners) make up nearly 10.6% of Connecticut's public school student population. From the 2014-15 school year to the 2023-24 school year, the number of multilingual learners in Connecticut increased by over 19,000 (54.9 percent) to over 54,000 students. This increase occurred even as the state’s total public student enrollment decreased by nearly 33,700 students (6.2 percent).
This collection of policy briefs covers Connecticut's multilingual learners, their education, current challenges, and opportunities to improve education programs and services for multilingual learner students and their families. Each document is roughly 3-4 pages long and covers a unique topic related to the education of the state's growing multilingual learner population. Topics include:
- History of multilingual education in America
- Student demographics
- Funding
- Academic performance
- Spending transparency in other states
- Areas for concern and recommendations
While it may help provide additional context, please note that it is not necessary to read the policy briefs in any specific order.
Citations
School and State Finance Project. (2023). Areas of Concern and Recommendations for Connecticut Multilingual Learner Education. Hamden, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/Concerns-and-Recommendations-for-Connecticut-Multilingual-Learner-Education.pdf.
School and State Finance Project. (2024). Connecticut's Multilingual Learners. Hamden, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://files.schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/Connecticuts%20Multilingual%20Learners.pdf.
School and State Finance Project. (2024). Connecticut's Multilingual Learners & Academic Performance. Southington, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://files.schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/Multilingual%20
Learners%20and%20Academic%20Performance.pdf.
School and State Finance Project. (2024). Funding for Connecticut's Multilingual Learners. Southington, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://files.schoolstatefinance.org/hubfs/Reports/Funding%20for%20Connecticuts
%20Multilingual%20Learners.pdf.
School and State Finance Project. (2023). State Reporting Requirements for Spending on Multilingual Learner Education. Hamden, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/Multilingual-Learner-Education-Comparisons.pdf.
School and State Finance Project. (2023). History of Policies & Landmark Court Cases Concerning Multilingual Learner Education. Hamden, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/Multilingual-Learner-Historic-Policies-and-Landmark-Cases.pdf.