State funding moves forward for English Learners

DOVER, Del. – In the First State Governor John Carney has put his money where his mouth is by funding a major initiative to support students who learn English as a second language.

In total $75 million dollars is going towards this new ESOL program.

Up until now there was no funding for English Learners, but it was needed because English Learners are the fastest growing student population especially in places like Sussex County.

According to the Rodel Foundation between 2017 and 2018 there was a 29 percent growth in student enrollment for English Learners and only a 1 percent growth in enrollment for all other students.

With this funding educators say the state will be able to hire more bilingual teachers, buy more textbooks and develop new strategies that addresses the needs of English Learners.

The Chair of the Delaware Hispanic Commission Javier Torrijos says this issue was first identified at the 2014 Latino Summit and he says this money is crucial.

“Having 75 million dollars that goes towards English Learners, children of poverty is a huge step for the state of Delaware,” said Torrijos.

“It’s moving the needle for children that need to get quality education like all students here in Delaware,” said Torrijos.

These $75 million dollars will be allocated to schools for the next three years.

During that time educators hope to develop ideas that will help both English Learners and low-income students succeed.

Groups like the Delaware Hispanic Commission and the Delaware English Language Learners Teachers and Advocates (DELLTA) played a huge role in helping to make this funding a reality.