While it's easy to overlook the one in ten public school students who are English Learners, this community of over 5 million children—whose academic struggles and triumphs shape our nation's future—deserves far greater understanding and support.
Key Takeaways
- In fall 2020, about 4.7 million public school students, or 9.5% of all public school students in the United States, were identified as English learners (ELs)
- As of the 2018–19 school year, English language learners (ELLs) made up 10.1% of public K–12 enrollment, totaling roughly 5 million students
- Hispanic students accounted for 73% of all ELs enrolled in public K–12 schools in 2018–19
- The average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for ELs in 2019–20 was 64.3 percent, compared with 86.4 percent for non-EL students
- In 2018–19, the status dropout rate for ELs ages 16–24 was 19.6 percent, compared with 4.8 percent for non-EL students
- Fourth-grade EL students’ average NAEP mathematics score in 2022 was 215, 35 points lower than non-EL students’ score of 250
- Approximately 40% of U.S. teachers report lacking preparation to teach ELLs effectively
- ELLs are four times more likely to drop out of high school than native English speakers
- In 2020, 25% of ELLs experienced homelessness compared to 5% of non-ELLs
- In 2022, 1.1 million students were served under Title III for ELLs, funding $800 million
- 85% of districts offer ESL pull-out programs for ELLs
- Dual language immersion programs grew 300% from 2010-2020, serving 10% of ELLs
- 65% of ELs who reclassified as fluent had higher college enrollment rates of 70% vs. 50% ongoing ELs in 2020
- Former ELs had 85% high school graduation rate in 2019, compared to 65% current ELs
- ELLs who exit program earn 10% higher wages long-term
English learners face significant achievement gaps despite their growing population in schools.
Academic Performance
1The average adjusted cohort graduation rate (ACGR) for ELs in 2019–20 was 64.3 percent, compared with 86.4 percent for non-EL students
Verified2In 2018–19, the status dropout rate for ELs ages 16–24 was 19.6 percent, compared with 4.8 percent for non-EL students
Verified3Fourth-grade EL students’ average NAEP mathematics score in 2022 was 215, 35 points lower than non-EL students’ score of 250
Verified4In 2022, eighth-grade ELs’ average NAEP reading score was 227, 43 points lower than non-ELs’ 270
Directional5ELs had lower average NAEP scores in 12th-grade reading in 2019: 238 vs. 291 for non-ELs
Single source6In mathematics at grade 12, ELs averaged 106 on NAEP in 2019, 61 points below non-ELs’ 167
Verified7ELs’ average score on NAEP grade 4 science in 2019 was 126, compared to 157 for non-ELs
Verified8In 2019–20, the ACGR for ELs was 63.0%, 23 percentage points lower than non-ELs’ 86.0%
Verified9EL high school students had a 28% proficiency rate in reading on state assessments in 2021, vs. 55% for non-ELs
Directional10Math proficiency for grade 8 ELs was 12% in 2022 NAEP, compared to 34% for all students
Single source11ELs in grade 4 reading NAEP 2022 scored at or above basic: 53%, vs. 74% non-ELs
Verified12In 2019, 4th-grade ELs proficient in NAEP writing: 7%, vs. 27% non-ELs
Verified13EL dropout rate was 7.8% in 2020, twice the national average of 3.9%
Verified14Grade 8 EL science NAEP 2019: average 127 vs. 159 non-ELs
Directional15ELs’ grade 12 NAEP civics score 2018: 138, 40 points below non-ELs’ 178
Single source16In 2021-22, only 15% of ELLs met grade-level standards in ELA on state tests, vs. 45% non-ELLs
Verified17EL math NAEP grade 8 proficient 2022: 8%, national 26%
Verified18Chronic absenteeism among ELLs was 32% in 2021-22, higher than 22% for non-ELLs
Verified19ELs scored 20-30 percentile points lower on standardized tests across subjects in 2020
Directional20Grade 4 EL NAEP math 2022: 209 vs. 241 non-ELs
Single source21EL high school GPA average 2.5 vs. 3.2 for non-ELs in 2019
Verified22Only 41% of ELs passed algebra I on first try in 2021, vs. 70% non-ELs
Verified23EL reading proficiency grade 3: 22% in 2022, national 40%
Verified24Grade 12 EL history NAEP 2018: 101 vs. 143 non-ELs
Directional25ELs suspended at 1.5 times rate of non-ELs, impacting academic performance, 15% vs. 10% in 2019
Single source26In 2022, EL grade 8 reading below basic: 57%, vs. 27% all students
Verified27EL postsecondary enrollment rate: 50% vs. 65% non-ELs immediately after high school in 2020
Verified28Grade 4 EL writing NAEP proficient: 9% in 2019
Verified29EL science grade 8 NAEP proficient 2019: 18%, vs. 41% non-ELs
Directional30In 2021, 68% of ELs scored below proficient in math on state assessments
Single source31ELs accounted for 10.6% of public school students but only 5% of Advanced Placement exam takers in 2021
VerifiedAcademic Performance Interpretation
Despite carrying the incredible potential of multilingualism, English Learners are being systematically failed by a system that, judging by the data, seems to believe that speaking another language is a learning disability rather than an asset.
Challenges Faced
1Approximately 40% of U.S. teachers report lacking preparation to teach ELLs effectively
Verified2ELLs are four times more likely to drop out of high school than native English speakers
Verified3In 2020, 25% of ELLs experienced homelessness compared to 5% of non-ELLs
Verified4Only 29% of ELLs have access to certified ESL teachers daily
Directional5ELLs face 2-3 years longer to reach proficiency due to interrupted education for immigrants
Single source656% of ELLs live in poverty, compared to 18% of non-ELLs in 2021
Verified7Language barriers cause 60% of ELLs to miss instructional time in core subjects
Verified8ELLs are overrepresented in special education by 20%, often misdiagnosed due to language issues
Verified9Remote learning during COVID led to 15-point larger NAEP score drops for ELLs
Directional1070% of ELLs report bullying related to language or accent
Single source11Parental involvement is 40% lower for ELL families due to language barriers
Verified12ELLs have 50% higher chronic absenteeism rates at 28% vs. 18% in 2022
Verified13Only 20% of ELLs receive adequate sheltered instruction
Verified14Mobility rates for ELLs are 25%, disrupting continuity twice that of non-ELLs
Directional1535% of ELLs have parents with limited English proficiency, hindering support
Single source16ELLs face higher suspension rates: 10% vs. 6% non-ELLs in 2019
Verified17Lack of bilingual materials affects 65% of ELLs in mainstream classes
Verified18ELLs from low-income homes (67%) score 25 points lower on NAEP
Verified1945% of ELLs have disabilities misidentified due to language screening flaws
Directional20Pandemic learning loss: ELLs regained only 60% of ELA losses by 2023
Single source2152% of rural ELLs lack ESL programs
Verified22Cultural adjustment stress affects 80% of newcomer ELLs, leading to mental health issues
Verified23ELLs underrepresented in gifted programs by 70%
Verified24Transportation barriers impact 30% of ELL students daily
Directional2561% of ELL teachers report insufficient training time
Single source26Legal immigrants' children still face 15% higher academic gaps due to prior trauma
Verified27ELLs experience 2x higher rates of food insecurity at 38%
Verified28Inadequate assessment tools misplace 40% of ELLs in wrong programs
Verified2975% of ELLs in high-poverty schools lack certified bilingual staff
Directional30Refugee ELLs have 50% PTSD rates impacting focus
Single sourceChallenges Faced Interpretation
This relentless cascade of systemic failures—from underprepared teachers and higher dropout rates to poverty, misdiagnosis, and the profound indignity of bullying—paints a stark portrait of a nation that teaches English learners more about hardship than language.
Demographics
1In fall 2020, about 4.7 million public school students, or 9.5% of all public school students in the United States, were identified as English learners (ELs)
Verified2As of the 2018–19 school year, English language learners (ELLs) made up 10.1% of public K–12 enrollment, totaling roughly 5 million students
Verified3Hispanic students accounted for 73% of all ELs enrolled in public K–12 schools in 2018–19
Verified4In 2018–19, the states with the largest percentages of EL public K–12 students were California (19.3%), Texas (20.0%), New Mexico (16.8%), Nevada (14.8%), and Alaska (14.4%)
Directional5During the 2018–19 school year, EL enrollment as a percent of total public K–12 enrollment ranged from less than 1% in West Virginia to 21.0% in California
Single source6In 2019, approximately 21.1% of school-age children (ages 5–17) in the United States spoke a language other than English at home
Verified7From 2010 to 2019, the percentage of public school students who were ELs increased from 9.2% to 10.1%
Verified8In 2021, over 5 million students were classified as English learners, representing 10% of all K-12 public school students
Verified9ELL students are more concentrated in elementary schools, comprising 12% of students in grades K-5 compared to 6% in high schools in 2020
Directional10In 2019, 76% of ELLs were Spanish speakers, followed by 5% Arabic and 3% Chinese speakers
Single source11Urban schools had 16% ELL enrollment in 2019, suburban 9%, rural 5%
Verified12In 2022, New York City public schools had 14.5% ELL students, totaling over 120,000
Verified13Asian/Pacific Islander students made up 12% of ELLs in public schools in 2018-19
Verified14Black students comprised 8% of ELL public school enrollment in 2019
Directional15In 2020, 25% of ELLs were in grades 9-12, but they were 10% of high school enrollment
Single source16Female ELL students were 48.5% of total ELL enrollment in U.S. public schools in 2019
Verified17In 2021, 1.1 million ELLs were recent immigrants (arrived within 3 years)
Verified18Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander ELLs were 1% of total ELLs in 2019
Verified19In California, ELLs were 20.8% of K-12 enrollment in 2021-22
Directional20Texas had 1.1 million ELLs in 2022, 20% of enrollment
Single source21In 2019, 4.9% of ELLs were classified as "newcomers" (less than 1 year in U.S. schools)
Verified22Multiracial ELL students were 2.5% of ELL enrollment in 2020
Verified23In Florida, ELLs comprised 11.2% of public school students in 2022
Verified24White ELL students made up 9% of total ELLs in 2019
Directional25In 2021, 37% of ELLs were born in the U.S.
Single source26Arizona public schools had 12.5% ELL enrollment in 2022, totaling 90,000 students
Verified27In 2020, 15% of ELLs were enrolled in charter schools, higher than non-ELLs at 7%
Verified28Nevada's Clark County had 25% ELL students in 2021
Verified29In 2019, American Indian/Alaska Native ELLs were 3% of total ELLs
Directional30Illinois had 15.3% ELL enrollment in Chicago public schools in 2022
Single source31In fall 2019, ELs ages 5–20 numbered 5.0 million, representing 10.4% of students in that age range
VerifiedDemographics Interpretation
While the national conversation often treats bilingualism as a special challenge, these numbers reveal it is actually a foundational and growing feature of the American classroom, concentrated in our youngest students and most populous states, demanding serious investment rather than peripheral concern.
Educational Programs
1In 2022, 1.1 million students were served under Title III for ELLs, funding $800 million
Verified285% of districts offer ESL pull-out programs for ELLs
Verified3Dual language immersion programs grew 300% from 2010-2020, serving 10% of ELLs
Verified4Title I funds support 90% of ELLs in high-poverty schools
Directional540 states mandate ESL certification, training 200,000 teachers by 2022
Single source6Newcomer programs exist in 60% of large districts, serving 500,000 ELLs annually
Verified7Bilingual education serves 15% of ELLs, improving reclassification by 20%
Verified8Online ESL platforms reached 1 million ELLs during COVID via federal grants
Verified9Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) used in 70% of ELL classrooms
Directional10After-school tutoring for ELLs funded for 300,000 students in 2023
Single source1125% of ELLs in transitional bilingual programs, reclassify in 3-5 years
Verified12Head Start serves 20,000 preschool ELLs with language support
Verified13IDEA funds special ed for 15% of ELLs with language accommodations
Verified1450 states have ELL standards aligned to Common Core
Directional15Summer bridge programs help 100,000 transitioning ELLs yearly
Single source16Parental advisory councils in 80% of Title III districts engage ELL families
Verified17Technology integration: 60% ELLs use adaptive software like Rosetta Stone
Verified18Vocational ESL programs train 50,000 adult ELLs for workforce annually
Verified19Co-teaching models pair ESL specialists with 70% mainstream teachers
Directional20Early childhood ELL programs enroll 400,000 in biliteracy initiatives
Single source21Federal ESSER funds allocated $10B for ELL recovery 2020-2024
Verified22Push-in ESL services provided to 55% of ELLs in general ed classes
Verified23Mentor programs pair 200,000 ELLs with bilingual peers
Verified24State ELL consortia like WIDA assess 2.5 million students yearly
Directional25Cultural competency training reaches 1 million educators for ELLs
Single source26Community school models serve 30% urban ELLs with wraparound services
Verified27Biliteracy seals awarded to 100,000 high school ELL graduates since 2010
Verified28Mobile apps for ELL vocabulary used by 40% of programs
Verified29Family literacy nights engage 500,000 ELL parents annually
Directional30IB programs adapt for ELLs in 1,000 schools worldwide
Single source31Reclassification rates improved 15% with data-driven ELL programs in 2022
VerifiedEducational Programs Interpretation
We’ve seen a significant surge in investment and structural support for English Language Learners, yet the reality remains a complex tapestry where promising growth in dual-language programs and federal funding must still contend with the fact that the majority of ELLs are primarily served through traditional, segregated models like pull-out ESL, leaving us to wonder if we’re building bridges or just better silos.
Long-term Outcomes
165% of ELs who reclassified as fluent had higher college enrollment rates of 70% vs. 50% ongoing ELs in 2020
Verified2Former ELs had 85% high school graduation rate in 2019, compared to 65% current ELs
Verified3ELLs who exit program earn 10% higher wages long-term
Verified440% of bilingual adults from ELL backgrounds access higher-paying jobs
Directional5Reclassified ELs postsecondary enrollment: 62% vs. 42% never ELs in low-income groups
Single source6Dual language program alumni have 25% higher biliteracy rates, leading to STEM careers
Verified7Long-term ELs (7+ years) have 50% graduation rate, but exiters 80%
Verified8ELL high school completers 75% pursue some college within 2 years
Verified9Biliterate graduates earn Seal of Biliteracy, boosting resumes for 150,000 since 2012
Directional10Former ELs have 15% lower dropout risk post-reclassification
Single source11Adult ELL program completers have 30% higher employment rates
Verified12U.S.-born ELLs achieve parity in earnings by age 30
Verified13ESL college support leads to 55% degree completion for ELLs vs. 40% without
Verified14Long-term outcomes show ELLs in dual programs 2x more likely college-ready
Directional15Reclassified ELs NAEP scores match peers within 2 years
Single source1670% of exited ELs pass state proficiency exams on first retest
Verified17ELL alumni leadership: 20% become educators serving new ELLs
Verified18Economic mobility: ELL children of immigrants match natives by second generation
Verified19Biliteracy correlates with 12% higher lifetime earnings
Directional20Former LTELs (long-term ELs) with intervention graduate at 75%
Single source21College persistence for reclassified ELs: 60% after 3 years
Verified22ELL program success: 80% biliterate adults report career advantages
Verified23High school EL exiters have ACT scores 3 points higher average
Verified24Long-term: 45% of ELLs attain bachelor's by age 25, rising with support
Directional25Immigrant ELLs' children have 90% citizenship rate, full access outcomes
Single source26Vocational training ELLs: 85% employed within 6 months post-program
Verified27Reclassified ELs less likely incarcerated: 5% vs. 12% ongoing ELs
Verified28Dual immersion grads 30% more likely multilingual professionals
Verified29Adult literacy ELL completers vote at 65% rate, civic engagement up
Directional30ELL success stories: 25% become entrepreneurs by age 40
Single sourceLong-term Outcomes Interpretation
These statistics reveal a compelling truth: mastering English unlocks doors, but nurturing native language creates a bridge to a future where former English Learners not only catch up but often leap ahead, proving that bilingualism is less a remedial program and more a strategic launchpad for economic mobility and civic contribution.
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