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Upper Darby SD review: surging English-learner and special-education populations heighten staffing, attendance pressures
Summary
District administrators told the Education & Pupil Services Committee that rising English learner and autistic-support enrollments, high student turnover and national declines in teacher certification are straining staffing, substitute coverage and classroom continuity; officials outlined recruitment, certification supports and attendance interventions.
Upper Darby School District administrators told the Board's Education and Pupil Services Committee on Nov. 26 that rapid growth in English learner and specialized-education students, combined with high year-to-year student turnover and a shrinking teacher pipeline, is creating persistent staffing and attendance challenges.
Tim Lambert, the district's manager of data and information, said the district's English learner population has risen sharply in recent years, counting about 2,290 EL students and noting that "we went from 10% to 19% EL population in just 5 years." He told the committee that a growing share of newly enrolled students are identified as English learners, increasing demand for certified EL teachers and space for specialized programs.
Administrators presented enrollment and cohort data showing substantial churn: one first-grade cohort of 991 students fell to 399 by 12th grade, a drop the presentation attributed to transfers, moves and placements in approved private schools. The district reported that roughly 1,400 students…
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