Addressing the Needs of North Carolina's English Learner Students

This brief discusses the increasing educational opportunity gap between English learners (ELs) in North Carolina and their peers. It argues that limited school funding is exacerbating this opportunity gap. The state's federal and state legal obligations to ELs are highlighted. The brief discusses what can be done to reduce ELs' opportunity gap. The author summarizes best practices in English language instructional programs, strategies for fostering equitable parental engagement, and the need for adequate funding.