Policy Evolution and Educational Equity for English Language Learners: A Case Study from Florida Schools

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Sunday 9:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Revisiting the Record: Policy Historiographies and the Making of Educational Futures

Abstract

This study examines the historical and ongoing influence of the 1990 Consent Decree on educational policies for English Language Learners (ELLs) in Florida. Employing a policy archaeology approach, it traces how the Decree shaped equitable access to appropriate language services and comprehensible instruction for nearly 300,000 Limited English Proficient students. The analysis highlights the Decree’s role in advancing civil rights protections, fostering inclusive programming, and establishing enforcement mechanisms. While the Decree has promoted significant gains in policy and practice, challenges remain in resource allocation, stakeholder engagement, and adapting to diverse linguistic needs. The study underscores the importance of continuous evaluation and responsive policy-making to ensure ELL students’ educational equity in a linguistically and culturally diverse context.

Author

• Naila Peken, University of South Florida