As More English Learning Students Enter the Public School System, California Charter Public Schools Serve as a Model
By Myrna Castrejón, President & CEO, California Charter Schools Association
A student learning English as a second language faces unique challenges that require specialized programs to support their growth as they aim for English proficiency. English Learning (EL) students, as they are classified in California’s public education system, primarily come from immigrant families with strong ties to a country other than the United States. Charter public schools across the Golden State provide opportunities for EL students to become English proficient while supporting their development holistically, preparing them for success in college, career, community, and life.
The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) has just issued new research that finds that more than 100,000 children are working towards English proficiency in charter public schools across the Golden State. “English Learners in California Charter Public Schools” delves into the populations of students learning English as a second language and profiles schools, programs, and supports that successfully assist EL students in achieving English proficiency. EL students make up 15 percent of all charter students, which increased from the previous year and is projected to grow.
In California, EL students within California’s charter public school sector reflect the state’s diversity. English learners speak over 60 languages, with Spanish being the most common native language, followed by Russian and Arabic.
The vast majority of English learner charter students in California attend charter public schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Other school districts with large concentrations of English learner charter students include Oakland Unified, San Diego Unified, and Chula Vista Elementary School District.
California’s charter public schools have a history of specializing in teaching English learners. For example, two decades ago, charter public schools began offering dual immersion programs at a time when bilingual education was not allowed in California unless parents signed a waiver. The successes of charters that offered dual immersion served as an example for others to take and diversify these models across the state.
Ideally, dual language instruction develops a strong literacy foundation in English while supporting the student’s literacy in their first language. The goal is to provide an education that develops equally bi-literate, bicultural, and academically prepared students. Because of the successes of these programs, many public schools, both charter and district-run, offer dual language learning.
In addition to dual language learning programs, the research took a closer look at two schools in the Los Angeles area that are finding new ways to support their English Learners and overcome systemic obstacles.
Puente Charter School in Los Angeles’ Boyle Heights neighborhood is an elementary charter public school with English proficiency rates far exceeding those of nearby public schools. Puente strives to provide students with a rich and challenging curriculum that fosters intellectual, social, and emotional growth. Puente prides itself on having a data-centered campus culture that stresses constant academic monitoring and continuous improvement of English Learning students.
One of their hallmarks is the Whole Child approach, which satisfies the needs of each student head-on — whether it’s free and nutritious meals, health care, tutoring, mental health counseling, vision and dental care, or other services needed during and after school. They also offer summer learning programs to close the opportunity gap and reduce the risk that English learners suffer from learning loss outside of the traditional school year.
Puente also offers a multi-generational approach to education by providing adult programs for parents and the community, including EL classes, in partnership with the East Los Angeles Occupational Center. Adults can also access Civics and Citizenship classes and a parent support group.
CCSA’s research demonstrates that while there are definite areas of success in transforming EL students’ lives, much more work needs to be done. California’s education leaders should take these examples as models that can be replicated in communities across the state, especially in those areas where there are large areas of growth in English learners entering the public school system. Supporting them with high-quality public education opportunities is an issue of equity and cannot be put by the wayside.
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For more information about charter public schools in your area, visit https://www.ccsa.org/find-a-school.
