Model English Learner Policy for School Boards

This model policy was developed through a collaborative partnership between School Board Partners and the Education Policy Program’s English Learner initiative at New America. This policy document was originally published by School Board Partners in March 2025.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure equitable access, achievement, and inclusion for all students identified as English learners (ELs), regardless of background or documentation status, by bolstering current standards of practice and systems of accountability. This policy aims to ensure school districts are meeting federal, state, and local regulatory obligations to students identified as ELs and providing these students with the support necessary to improve their language development trajectories and educational outcomes. This policy is intended to supplement—not duplicate—the school districts’ responsibilities under state and federal accountability systems. Specifically, this policy outlines a more holistic monitoring of how the school district is serving linguistically diverse students throughout their K–12 careers, not just while they are classified as ELs. The contents of this plan are intended to fill in policy and data gaps for EL students and help elevate the District’s approach to educating these students beyond simple compliance. This policy, if adopted, should be used as a tool to ensure all EL students in the district are afforded the same educational opportunities.

The policy document covers the following topics:

1. Definitions
2. Enrollment, Identification, and Reclassification
3. Language Instructional Program
4. Educational Opportunities
5. Progress Monitoring Towards English Proficiency
6. Bi-Annual Data Review
7. Qualified Educators and Supporting Personnel
8. Adequate Funding
9. Family & Community Engagement

• English Learner Accountability Hub
• English Learner Resource Page
• How States Can Reinforce English Learners’ Civil Rights (blog)
• Three Ways to Transform a District to Support English Learner Students (policy brief)