University of Kwazulu-Natal

English Learner Education In Arizona Studocu

Bonisiwe Shabane
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english learner education in arizona studocu

Background: Educating English Learners in Arizona Arizona’s Proposition 203, passed in 2000, mandates English-only education for English learners in Arizona public schools. The specific requirements of instruction for English learners have evolved over the past decades, but the fundamental basis of Proposition 203 remains codified in the Arizona statutes. While many states have moved away from this English-only model, Arizona has not completely followed suit, still allowing for English-only education as an instructional option. As a former public school teacher and academic coach, I worked closely with English learners for over a decade. Arizona is home to children from all over the world—many years, I had over ten different languages in my classroom.

If parents indicate that a child speaks a language other than English in the home, they are classified as English learners and are enrolled in a different course of study than non-English learners. This means that the result of Proposition 203 has been de facto segregation and sub-par access to content-based courses. Under Proposition 203, English-only education required, in practice, English learners to miss instruction in content courses such as science and social studies in order to receive language instruction. In the early 2000s before more recent changes, this segregated English learners from their peers, often causing them to fall behind in content-area courses. In 2019, the approach to educating English learners evolved to allow for some integration of language instruction during content courses. Schools were tasked with implementing one of four state-approved models to meet the required language instructional minutes for English learner students.

This provided more flexibility for schools and allowed English learners more equitable access to the learning environment. Yet, even with these modifications that allow for increased integration of language instruction in the content areas, inequities remain. An emphasis on segregated intensive language instruction so that English learners can engage with grade-level content appears to be logical. But this approach is flawed. Research tells us that language does not develop in a vacuum—access to grade-level course content is essential. Separating “language instruction” from learning in the content areas is not based on theories of cognition or language development.

Furthermore, while instruction in English is essential, skills and knowledge from a student’s first language can transfer to their second language. © 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy © 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy As of 2021-22, Arizona's schools were home to more than 93,000 English language learners.

In recent years, the most common languages spoken by ELLs in Arizona have been Spanish, Vietnamese, Navajo, and Somali. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics) Note: For additional state-by-state data and information, see New America's English Learner Accountability Hub. Note: Regulations change with time.

If you see something that needs updating, please send an e-mail to Colorín Colorado. For more detailed information regarding ELL guidelines and policies at the state and federal levels, please see the following: U.S. Department of Education. Our Nation’s English Learners. Most Common Non-English Languages Spoken by English Learners.

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If parents indicate that a child speaks a language other than English in the home, they are classified as English learners and are enrolled in a different course of study than non-English learners. This means that the result of Proposition 203 has been de facto segregation and sub-par access to content-based courses. Under Proposition 203, English-only education required, in practice, English lear...

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Furthermore, while instruction in English is essential, skills and knowledge from a student’s first language can transfer to their second language. © 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy © 2025 Prezi Inc. Terms & Privacy Policy As of 2021-22, Arizona's schools were home to more than 93,000 English language learners.

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In recent years, the most common languages spoken by ELLs in Arizona have been Spanish, Vietnamese, Navajo, and Somali. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics) Note: For additional state-by-state data and information, see New America's English Learner Accountability Hub. Note: Regulations change with time.