ELL News Headlines
Throughout the week, Colorín Colorado gathers news headlines related to English language learners from around the country. The ELL Headlines are posted Monday through Friday and are available for free!
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What does the Education Department do?
President Donald Trump has said he wants his new education chief, Linda McMahon, to “put herself out of a job” and close the Education Department.
What a ‘Positive, Proactive Approach’ to Chronic Absenteeism Looks Like
When the Kansas City, Kan., district decided to take a fresh approach to student attendance, Naomi Tolentino knew she would need to get all hands on deck. As coordinator of student supports, Tolentino leads the “Attend to Achieve” program, which aims to shift strategies from punishing truancy to preventing chronic absenteeism. That meant she needed to create a common language to help employees throughout the system — from teachers to front office staff — understand why even excused absences can harm a student’s academic progress.
The Building Blocks of Math That Students Need to Excel
Unlike the recent surge of evidence on science-based reading instruction, research and emphasis on number sense isn’t making its way into schools and classrooms in the same way. Students spend less time on foundational numeracy compared with what they spend on reading; elementary teachers often receive less training in how to teach math effectively; and schools use fewer interventions for students who need extra math support.
‘Why Jefferson? Why now?’ Families fight to save school amid closure plans
"This is my home. This is my community. Why do I have to leave?" Gloria Rubio's son asked her when he learned Jefferson Jr./Sr. High School might close. He didn’t understand why the school that had shaped him and his friends, where he felt safe and supported, could be taken away.
What to Know When Advising College-Bound, Undocumented Students
When Gaby Pacheco was applying to college, her high school counselor discouraged her from applying anywhere. As an undocumented student, she could get herself and her family in trouble, the counselor warned. Pacheco is now president and CEO of TheDream.US, the nation’s largest college scholarship provider for undocumented students.
Helping English Language Learners Develop a Love of Reading
Here's how to build a culture of reading to welcome students who are learning a new language, particularly those who come from strong oral storytelling traditions.
How Many Students May Be Affected by Trump’s Immigration Policies?
School and district leaders are navigating questions from educators, students, and families on how safe schools are from deportations after the Trump administration rescinded a policy protecting schools from immigration enforcement actions. But just how many students and families would be affected by changes to immigration policies? That number — likely in the tens of millions — stretches beyond estimates of an undocumented immigrant population, researchers said.
Helping Kids See the Value in Building Math Skills
Studying the lives of mathematicians can help elementary students discover a positive math identity for themselves.
Denver Public Schools sues feds to stop immigration enforcement at schools, ‘sensitive locations’
Denver Public Schools is taking the Trump administration to court in an effort to keep immigration enforcement away from schools locally and across the country.
Utah explores emergency funding amid dramatic increase in English learners enrolled in schools
A new bill in Utah addressing rapid growth of ELL enrollment has the support of many, but some worry it may not serve schools that have historically needed help serving English learners


