City does disservice to English Language Learners

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A new report from Families for Excellent Schools called “Dream Denied” exposed a deeply troubling statistic: last year, 48 percent of English Language Learners (ELLs) in New York City — more than 45,000 students — failed to make any progress toward learning English on their English proficiency exams. More than two thirds of these children are Hispanic.

As leaders of New York City’s Hispanic business community, our members can attest to the vital role that education played in their lives. Many of our members are first or second generation Americans. Today, they are pillars of their communities and leaders in New York City’s business community. Without access to quality schools, this would never have been possible.

Put another way, a successful business sector cannot thrive without an education system that prepares students for success. Without well-educated children, there will be no business leaders of tomorrow.

But today, New York City is divided into two school systems — one for white children from well to-do families, the other failing system for students of color. And Hispanic children, particularly those who speak another language at home, are bearing the brunt of this inequality crisis.

Rather than seeking to celebrate and learn from the vibrant cultures our students represent, New York City’s public schools marginalize them.  Rather than being stimulated with new ideas and materials, ELL students are left to sit in confusion as they are bombarded by a language they do not understand and are not being taught.

The percentage of English Language Learners graduating from high school has dropped precipitously in recent years, to less than one third of ELL students graduating in four years compared to nearly 70 percent for their English-proficient counterparts. This is not a crisis that can be solved with the incremental expansion of dual language programs, as Chancellor Farina has pledged to do. We need to look at the source of the problem — the quality of the school. 

English Language Learners, DOE, Families for Excellent Schools, Nick Lugo
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