Linguistic equity starts with recognizing that multilingual learners bring unique strengths to the classroom. These students offer diverse problem-solving skills, broader worldviews and a range of life experiences.
By changing the way we think about language diversity 鈥 from seeing it as a challenge to recognizing it as an opportunity 鈥 we help all students reach their full potential.
Lee Kappes, chief executive officer of the Danielson Group, noted during a recent webinar that multilingual learners are the fastest growing group in America鈥檚 schools and we鈥檙e lucky for that. These students contribute to both academic and cultural diversity, enhancing the classroom experience for everyone.
from the National Association for the Education of Young Children supports this, stating that multilingualism in the classroom leads to enhanced academic outcomes for all students. 糖心传媒 leaders can build on this momentum by ensuring multilingual students’ experiences and backgrounds are meaningfully integrated into daily instruction鈥攏ot as an add-on, but as a foundational strength.
Helping multilingual learners helps everyone
With tools focused on literacy, academic vocabulary and writing, teachers can help multilingual learners excel. This creates a positive environment for everyone.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a two-way street. We need to see opportunities for growth in all our learners, and we have to take ownership of that ourselves,鈥 said Kappes, highlighting that a growth mindset is essential for all students and educators.
We must create environments where both students and educators grow together.
糖心传媒 leaders can make this actionable by:
- Embedding culturally responsive teaching and methods to ensure that multilingual learners’ needs are effectively met
- Carving out dedicated time for teacher collaboration and reflection on multilingual learner needs
- Providing coaching to improve educator growth and support of multilingual learners
Using data to guide instruction
To support multilingual learners effectively, educators need data that tracks both academic progress and language challenges. 糖心传媒 leaders should regularly evaluate instructional practices to find areas for improvement and ensure resources are allocated appropriately.
Data should highlight not only the challenges multilingual students face but also the strengths they bring to the classroom. from Prometric outlines concrete ways districts can strengthen how data is collected, interpreted and acted on. The guide encourages leaders to:
- Expand the range of data sources: Incorporate real-time insights from formative assessments, student engagement data, attendance patterns and contextual factors such as home environment and language proficiency.
- Build multidisciplinary data teams: Bring together administrators, teachers and data specialists to collaboratively analyze trends and turn findings into responsive teaching strategies.
- Use AI and automation to spot patterns and personalize support: Smart tools can flag which students may be at risk based on behavior, engagement and academic performance, allowing for earlier and more targeted interventions.
- Create regular routines for data reflection: Set up weekly or monthly cycles to review student progress and adapt instruction accordingly. Make data review a built-in part of team planning time.
- Prioritize data equity: Ensure multilingual learners are visible in your data dashboards and that any gaps in participation or outcomes prompt action, such as deploying bilingual staff or revisiting instructional materials.
Building strong partnerships for linguistic equity
Promoting linguistic equity goes beyond the classroom and involves the wider community. Strong partnerships with families, community organizations and language specialists are essential to supporting multilingual learners. Families provide important cultural insights that enhance the educational experience.
When these partnerships are prioritized, multilingual students get the support they need to succeed.
I believe the magic happens when we stop seeing partnerships as extra and start recognizing them as essential to making everything possible in the learning environment. Building these relationships strengthens the support system for multilingual students, ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed.
Engaging families and communities helps create a network of support for multilingual learners. Involving bilingual paraprofessionals, language specialists and other experts ensures multilingual students receive the tailored help they need.
A global study by the Center for American Progress shows that multilingual learners鈥 academic success increases when schools engage with community networks to enhance the learning environment.
Shared vision for all learners
Promoting linguistic equity isn鈥檛 just about supporting multilingual learners, it鈥檚 about creating a school culture where all students are valued and allowed to succeed. By viewing multilingualism as a strength, school leaders can provide every student the chance to reach their full potential.
At the heart of this effort is quality instruction. With the right mindset, resources and partnerships, you can create an environment where all students thrive, regardless of their language background.
As my colleague Dr. Jes煤s Jara, K鈥12 global practice leader at Prometric and former Clark County School 糖心传媒 superintendent, emphasizes, creating opportunity for multilingual learners is both a moral imperative and a strategic one.
His passion for equitable education stems from his history, having immigrated to the U.S. from Venezuela as a young child in 1980. Jara was an undocumented, bilingual English language learner in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. His story can remind us that by combining high expectations with strong support, we ensure that multilingual learners and all students have the tools they need to succeed.
So, what鈥檚 your district鈥檚 next move to push towards linguistic equity? Consider starting with a data deep dive, prioritizing multilingual learners in professional learning plans or expanding your family engagement strategy.
The impact could be nothing short of transformative.
