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District Embraces Immigrants, Improves Education Outcomes

With a record influx of Spanish-speaking families, educators in Rogers, Ark., are integrating English language students and encouraging them to take high-level courses, resulting in improved test scores for all students.

by Madlin Mekelburg

Students in Pre-K teacher Josefina Pineda's class sing to practice their language skills at the Dallas Independent School District Cesar Chavez Learning Center in Dallas, Texas.
Credit: Robert W. Hart

With a record influx of Spanish-speaking families, educators in Rogers, Ark., are integrating English language students into classrooms and encouraging them to take high-level courses, resulting in improved test scores for all students. Families were invited to participate in school-based programs where bilingual support was available. The change is measurable, with Rogers reporting a rise to 94 percent in the graduation rate for English language learners, in addition to math and reading gains across the board for all students. (The Hechinger Report)

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