ELL News Headlines
Throughout the week, Colorín Colorado gathers news headlines related to English language learners from around the country. The ELL Headlines are posted Monday through Friday and are available for free!
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Yet another FAFSA problem: Many noncitizens can't fill it out
Most days, Vanessa Cordova Ramirez wakes at 6 a.m. to take care of her little brother, walk the puppy, make breakfast, and tidy up her family's Queens apartment before heading to school. She's a planner. Otherwise, the 17-year-old says, she couldn't manage schoolwork, extracurriculars, two jobs, and family responsibilities. "Life is a little hectic," she admits. Cordova Ramirez is in her final semester at Williamsburg Preparatory High School, and already has acceptances from all five of her top college choices. Location – a college near her family in New York City – was top priority, she says. But next on the list? Affordability. In order to make this dream come true she needs federal financial aid and scholarships. It's a moment she's been planning for years. But last month, when Cordova Ramirez and her mom sat down with a counselor to fill out the FAFSA, the form that will determine how much assistance she'll receive, all they got was an error message. Her family is not alone. This rejection has been a common error for students with parents who don't have a Social Security number, says Kristin Azer, a college counselor at Williamsburg Prep. In reporting this story, NPR spoke with families, counselors and advocates who shared similar problems. Among those impacted are permanent residents, green card holders or undocumented parents without a Social Security number.
How to Expand Teens’ Vocabulary
Today’s post, focused on expanding adolescents' vocabulary, is the fourth in a series offering strategies to support older students experiencing reading challenges.
Where the Need for Bilingual Teachers Has Changed Over 20 Years
We wrote recently about some of the reasons that may be keeping teachers from pursuing the bilingual educator route, despite the widespread need for teachers who can instruct English learners. We dug further into data from the National Center for Education Statistics to find out how the rate of English learners enrolled in public schools has changed over time.
Miami English Recognized as Dialect
A new dialect has been found to be emerging in Miami—the distinct vernacular is a heavily Spanish-influenced dialect of American English influenced by decades of integration of Spanish speakers.
Federal Funding for English Learners Has a New Home. What Do Educators Hope This Means?
Educators and researchers alike generally welcomed the news that the U.S. Department of Education’s office of English language acquisition, or OELA, would oversee control of federal funding for English learners moving forward.
25 Audiobooks for Black History Month and Beyond
February is Black History Month, so why not start with these edifying, entertaining audiobooks by Black writers about Black experiences starring Black characters?
How to fix chronic absenteeism in America's schools
About a third of students are on track to miss at least 10% of school days this year. Why are students missing school, and how can we bring them back?
Teaching Advice in 6 Words, More or Less
Last year, I began a tradition of having educators share their best teaching advice — in six words or less. Here are some more entries.
To help students deal with trauma, this school holds mindfulness lessons over the loudspeaker
At 8:30 a.m. on a sunny winter day, the cafeteria tables at the Patricia J. Sullivan Partnership Elementary School are packed. For the past few years, the school has been experimenting with a new tool to help kids deal with their stress: a daily mindfulness program called Inner Explorer.
How Ohio schools are adapting to serve more English learners
The lunchroom at Akron’s Findley Community Learning Center is filled with the sound of different languages being spoken: Spanish, Swahili, Nepalese. A local nonprofit is giving a presentation, in English, to dozens of Akron Public Schools parents on how immigrants can get their GED in English. All the while, seven interpreters are translating the presentation for them via headsets and earpieces The parents come from a wide range of countries, like Guatemala, Afghanistan and Thailand.