Serving Multilingual Learners: Laws, Policies, and Regulations is a publication from Colorín Colorado which provides an overview of the federal laws and regulations governing the education of Multilingual Learners [MLs]. The guide is available online, as well as a downloadable PDF.
The first edition of this guide provided a comprehensive, user-friendly resource about the latest laws, regulations, research, and evidence-based strategies of effective language education programs for MLs.
Since then, several significant developments have occurred, including:
- Updates to federal laws and regulations
- A stronger emphasis on strength-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining practices
- A deeper understanding of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
- Increased focus on student, family, school, and community partnerships
- The publication of the Dear Colleague Letter related to serving MLs in 2015
What's New in the Second Edition?
This second edition incorporates these changes, supporting school and district leaders, teachers, specialists, and other stakeholders in creating high-quality language assistance programs for the growing population of multilingual learners. It begins with an overview of the nation's MLs and educators, followed by the importance of a strengths-based approach.
The guide then reviews federal laws and regulations, with the following goals:
- Provide an accessible, user-friendly explanation of our legal obligations.
- Include embedded references about these obligations so they can be easily accessed.
- Describe how the federal regulations should be enacted in our various contexts.
- Furnish examples to support us in understanding and, as importantly, following the laws and regulations in our contexts.
- Incorporate state education agency resources on our interactive map.
Note: While each section of this guide can be a stand-alone resource, we encourage educators and administrators to read the entire document for a more comprehensive overview. In addition, regulations and policies are updated over time. This guide is current as of 2024.
About This Guide
About Colorín Colorado
Colorín Colorado is the nation’s leading website serving educators and families of multilingual learners/English language learners. Colorín Colorado is based at public broadcasting station WETA in Washington, DC and is funded by the American Federation of Teachers. This guide was written by Dr. Debbie Zacarian, founder of Zacarian & Associates, LLC. The first edition of this publication was made possible with the support of the Carnegie Corporation. This updated edition is made possible by the American Federation of Teachers.
About the Author
Dr. Debbie Zacarian, a seasoned expert in educational policy, specializes in professional development, strategic planning, and technical assistance for K–16 educators working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. With over 35 years of experience, she works with rural, suburban, and urban districts, as well as agencies and organizations nationwide, to develop and implement evidence-based language education policies aligned with federal and state regulations.
A former University of Massachusetts faculty member and program director at the Collaborative for Educational Services, she has trained educators, mentored faculty, and co-authored two National Professional Development Grants to enhance multilingual learner instruction. As the leader of Amherst Public Schools' multilingual programming, she earned state recognition. Dr. Zacarian is the founder of Zacarian and Associates and the author of multiple books, including Transforming Schools for Multilingual Learners: A Comprehensive Guide for Educators, 2nd Edition (Corwin Press, 2023), which serves as the basis for the contents of this guide.
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