Brief

Three Ways to Transform a District to Support English Learner Students

Leslie Villegas and Amaya Garcia
July 2025 | New America

This practice brief by New America offers three strategies to facilitate asset-based systemic change regarding educating English learner (EL) students. These strategies were developed based on the lessons learned from three California school districts that participated in the implementation of the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) model. The recommended strategies for supporting EL students include fostering strong and intentional district and school leadership; offering consistent professional learning opportunities to prepare educators to implement rigorous, research-based instruction; and participating in genuine family–school collaboration. Each strategy also includes questions geared toward educators, principals, and district leaders to help them critically consider their approach to educating linguistically diverse students. The strategies and questions included in this brief offer educational practitioners and school districts insight on ways to support EL students’ educational experiences and close opportunity gaps. This brief may also help teacher and leader preparation faculty and administrators, as well as policymakers, update their beliefs and practices on how to best engage and teach EL students.