New Study by UCLA Researcher Examines Needs of English Learners in California Schools

“A new study released today reports that English learners in California schools cannot catch up with their English-speaking peers unless the state rethinks the way resources are allocated for these students. English language learners ”” whose first language is not English and who lack or have only beginning proficiency in English ”” represent one-fourth of all public school students in the state.

“If we do not figure out how to adequately meet the needs of these 1.5 million students, California cannot meet the goals of No Child Left Behind or compete successfully with other states and nations for a well-prepared workforce, since about half of these students will eventually drop out of school,” said Patricia Gándara, UCLA professor of education and author of the study, titled “Resource Needs for California English Learners.”

Gándara presented the study’s data and recommendations on the costs and resources needed to adequately educate English learners at a hearing on school financing today at the state Capitol in Sacramento. Gándaras research is part of the “Getting Down to Facts” project, a series of studies and presentations intended to raise awareness among state policymakers and other education stakeholders about the educational needs of students in Californias elementary and secondary schools. “

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