ELL Trivia Quiz Statistics about English Language Learners to accompany “Straight Talk about Language Diversity Session” Slides created by Liz Howard Assistant Professor of Bilingual Education elizabeth.howard@uconn.edu

What do we mean by English Language Learners (ELLs)? Federal definition (Anstrom 1996): a student who “has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language and whose difficulties may deny such individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in our society due to one or more of the following reasons: was not born in US or environment where English is the dominant language; is a Native American or Alaskan; or is migratory and comes from an environment where English is not the dominant language.”

What do we mean by English Language Learners (ELLs)? Bilingual Education Statute: Section 10-17e-j, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes Sec. l0-17e. Definitions. Whenever used in sections 10-17 and 10-17d to 10-17g, inclusive:(1) “Eligible students” means students enrolled in public schools in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive, whose dominant language is other than English and proficiency in English is not sufficient to assure equal educational opportunity in the regular school program.

How many ELLs are there in U.S. public schools? Less than 1 million 1-3 million 3-5 million More than 5 million Over five million – approximately 10% of total student population – based on 2003 data - Gottlieb

How many ELLs are there in CT? Less than 10,000 10,000-20,000 20,000-30,000 More than 30,000

How many ELLs are there in CT?

In the U.S., how does the growth of ELL student enrollment compare to growth in total student enrollment? slower the same faster

The growth of English Language Learners in the US 1989-2005

In CT, how does the growth of ELL student enrollment compare to growth in total student enrollment? slower the same faster

The growth of English Language Learners in Connecticut 1994-2005

What percentage of ELLs in the U.S. are native Spanish speakers? Less than 25% 25% - 50% 51% - 75% More than 75%

79% of ELLs in the U.S. are native Spanish speakers

What percentage of ELLs in CT are native Spanish speakers? Less than 25% 25% - 50% 51% - 75% More than 75%

71% of ELLs in CT are native Spanish speakers

How many home languages other than English are spoken by students (not all ELLs) in the U.S.? Less than 50 51-100 101-150 More than 150 240

How many home languages other than English are spoken by students (not all ELLs) in CT? Less than 50 51-100 101-150 More than 150 161

What percentage of school districts in CT serve ELLs? Less than 25% 25% - 50% 51% - 75% More than 75% 3 [72% (146/202 - includes charter schools, magnets schools, “other” – everything on state list)

72% of school districts in CT serve ELLs