English Language Learners in America's Great City Schools: Demographics, Achievement, and Staffing

The results of a recent survey the Council of the Great City Schools conducted among its members on their English learner students (ELs) are reported and discussed in this report. In addition to EL enrollment data, languages spoken, and number of ELs receiving special education services. ELs' achievement data on English proficiency and 12 years of NAEP scores are included in this report. The survey compared EL and non-EL students on absentee rates and on specific benchmarks (e.g., percent completing Algebra I by ninth grade). The qualifications of districts' EL staffing were also surveyed. The data in this report for the 61 Great City School members who responded to the survey (85% rate) are comprehensive.