Demographics

English learners represent a growing segment of the U.S. student population. Between 2000 and 2016, the number of EL students grew by roughly 28 percent across the country. While ELs have historically had sizable populations in major settlement states, like California and Texas, new parts of the country saw triple-digit increases in the number of ELs during this time. This growing share of students is a diverse group with varied native languages, educational experiences, and socio-economic backgrounds. Collecting and reporting data on ELs has long been challenging, but understanding the demographic profiles of ELs is important for understanding how to best address their needs. Read more