The Cost of Providing an Adequate Education for English Language Learners: A Review of the Literature

• In Event: Roundtable Session 100
  In Roundtable Session: Accounting for Student Needs in School Financing Programs

Abstract

This proposal reviews the treatment of English language learners (ELLs) in the cost study literature. A total of 70 empirical studies published after 1990 met these criteria. The comprehensive review concludes that there is substantial variability in the treatment of ELLs across cost study methodologies, although all methods agree that current funding levels are insufficient for ELLs to meet specified performance standards. However, the literature is inconclusive to answer the question, how much does it cost to provide an adequate education for ELLs. Clearly, more cost studies that specifically focus on ELLs will need to be conducted and current costing out methods will need to be enhanced to better assess the cost of providing an adequate education for ELLs.

Authors

• Oscar Jimenez-Castellanos, Arizona State University

• Amelia Topper, Arizona State University