Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic – NASBE – National Association of State Boards of Education

The past several years have been exceptionally challenging for the nation’s five million English learners (ELs) and their families. As the pandemic recedes, schools approach normalcy, and a historic investment of federal education dollars flows to states and school districts, state education leaders face the exceptional responsibility of charting a new course for public schools and the ELs whom they serve.

Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

Also In this Issue

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Achieving Racial Justice in PreK-12 Education

By John B. King Jr. and Denise Forte

Progress is possible. Back to normal is not good enough.

Designing for Equity

By Hal Smith

It takes a whole community to lift up policies and practices that support equity and end those that don't.

Teacher Diversity and Student Success

By Constance A. Lindsay

State policymakers should name diversity as a marker of teacher quality.

Equity and English Learners Post-Pandemic

By Julie Sugarman and Melissa Lazarín

State leaders should ramp up supports for EL students and their families.

Racial Justice through Expanded Choice

By Derrell Bradford

Decoupling where students receive education from where they live is key to undoing the system's racist roots.

Supporting Youth with the Most Need

By Hailly T.N. Korman

For many, the pandemic has been just one of a host of barriers to a high-quality education.

Engaging Students through Ethnic Studies

By Woody Exley

California, Connecticut, and Texas broaden their elective offerings.

District of Columbia Embeds Antiracist Lens in Update of Social Studies Standards

By Jessica Sutter and Alexander Jue

State board tees up a revision process and standards characterized by civic engagement and cultural responsiveness.

Featured Items

Image of a black man voting. Credit: Canva

State Education Elections in 2024 Yield Few Shifts

Voters in nine states, three territories, and the District of Columbia elected 64 state board candidates.

Cropped shot of elementary school children using a tablet in class

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Technology in Education

Savvy state leaders will set their sights on ways to broaden access to technology’s benefits, solve problems confronting educators, and protect students against the risks of misuse.

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Developing Content Standards: A Foundational Task for State Boards

State boards of education typically play a central role in approving academic content standards, though their authority varies by state. This boardsmanship review outlines guiding principles and common processes to help state boards develop high-quality standards.

Upcoming Events

From the States

States Face Challenges Building a School Mental Health Workforce

Challenges persist in attracting and retaining this school-based mental health professionals, but some states, including Virginia, Ohio, Colorado, Michigan, and others, are making progress.
States Address Access to Menstrual Products in Schools

States such as Georgia, New York, Utah, and others have increasingly opted to combat “period poverty" by expanding access to free menstrual products in schools.