Starting Early with English Language Learners: First Lessons from Illinois - Illinois is in the process of expanding its services for English Language Learners (ELL) into state-funded pre-K, so that students begin receiving ELL support when they first arrive in school, whether that is at age 3, 4, or 5. This paper takes a deep look at how Illinois came to see a need for new policies for its burgeoning population of English Language Learners, and why focusing on its youngest English Language Learners was the state’s next step. (New America Foundation, April 2012)...

Effectively Education PreK-3rd English Language Learners in Montgomery County Public Schools - This report describes the success that Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland has achieved in narrowing the third-grade reading proficiency gap between English language learners (ELLs) and native English speakers. Key to this accomplishment was an intense focus on the early years, from pre-k through third grade. The report describes steps the district took to align pre-k practices and policies with critical improvement strategies at the K-3 level. (Geoff Marietta and Elisha Brookover, Foundation for Child Development, June 2011)...