During a recent meeting of the Elkhart Community Schools Board, ELD Director Cindy Lopez Bonner provided an insightful update on the progress and challenges facing English learners (EL) in the district. As the school approaches the Thanksgiving break, Bonner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead efforts aimed at enhancing the educational experience for EL students.

Bonner highlighted a steady increase in the EL population over the past five years, noting that the actual number of students has risen significantly, necessitating an expansion of services and programming. The district has set three primary goals for the year: improving student achievement, obtaining a certificate of multilingual proficiency for students, and researching dual language programs, which have proven effective for language learners.

Despite the positive growth in student numbers, Bonner reported a concerning achievement gap. EL students in Elkhart are performing 20 percentage points behind their non-EL peers, with statewide gaps reaching as high as 35%. This disparity is exacerbated by an influx of newcomers—students who have been in the country for less than two years—who present unique challenges that require tailored support.

To address these challenges, the district has implemented a focused action plan that includes monthly meetings with EL teachers to review frameworks and monitor student progress. Bonner emphasized the importance of effective progress monitoring and the need for consistent application of assessment tools. The district has identified speaking skills as a critical area for improvement, with plans to enhance support for students in this domain.

In addition to targeted support for EL students, Bonner noted the importance of professional development for general education teachers, ensuring they are equipped to assist EL students effectively. The district has also seen success in individual learning plans, with a record number of students achieving proficiency and exiting the program.

Board members engaged in a discussion following the presentation, inquiring about the diversity of languages spoken within the district and the demographics of incoming students. Bonner confirmed that 38 languages are represented in the schools and noted that while newcomers are arriving across various grade levels, there has been a significant increase at the kindergarten level.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to supporting English learners and addressing the complexities of their educational needs, particularly as the population continues to grow and diversify.