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State ELL report: more Arkansas English learners are exiting services but districts still spend more than state categorical funding
Summary
A Department of Education report told lawmakers Arkansas had about 38,500 English‑language learners in 2018, that more students are exiting services after the switch to ELPA21, and that the state provided $338 per ELL student while districts spent an estimated $580 per ELL student when local transfers and other expenditures are included.
Nell Smith presented the committee with a statewide analysis of English‑language learner (ELL) enrollment, outcomes and funding. She told lawmakers that in 2018 roughly 38,500 students — about 8 percent of Arkansas public school enrollment — were identified as ELL; those students are geographically concentrated, with about half enrolled in five districts (Springdale, Rogers, Fort Smith, Little Rock and Dequeen).
Smith said the state replaced its prior ELL assessment with ELPA21 in 2015–16 and that the new assessment and adjusted exit criteria led to a substantial increase in students testing proficient and exiting services. ELPA21 assesses listening, speaking, reading and writing; districts also require further standardized evidence (for example, ACT Aspire benchmarks or…
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