The Definition of "English Learner" as a Matter of Social Justice for Policy Making

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Language minority students who do not meet the district’s criteria for English proficiency are labeled “English Learners” (ELs)—a designation intended to flag the need for ancillary services. However, the definition of “EL” and the resulting services are neither common nor stable across states or even districts within a state, resulting in a patchwork of services and different sets of definitions and associated services for the same types of students across the country. Panelists in this session will discuss how this lack of a common definition complicates comparisons of effectiveness across districts and states, and creates additional disruptions for students who move across schools. New research using quasi-experiments (e.g., regression discontinuity) will also clarify the policy implications of this work.

Sub Unit

• Social Justice Action Committee

Chair

• Kenji Hakuta, Stanford University

Speakers

• Robert T. Linquanti, WestEd

• Joseph P. Robinson-Cimpian, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Ilana Marice Umansky, University of Oregon

• Karen D. Thompson, Oregon State University

• James Soland, Kingsbury Center at NWEA

• Guadalupe Diaz, Oregon State University

Discussants

• Patricia C. Gándara, University of California - Los Angeles

• Jennifer A. O'Day, American Institutes for Research