Long-Term English Learners (November 2024)

A goal under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) is for all English learners (ELs) to become proficient in English and exit, or reclassify, out of EL status. Research has found that students may need at least five years to develop English skills needed to learn independently in academic settings. While “long-term EL” is not defined in the ESEA, students who do not exit from EL status within five to six years are often labeled as “long-term ELs.” This infographic explores the trends in the long term EL student population.