Latest news with #EnglishLanguageLearners
Axios
10-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Iowa's English learners reach a record as student aid put on hold
Iowa schools saw a record high of nearly 40,000 English learners last school year, according to new state education data obtained by Axios. Why it matters: Last week, federal funding for a program that helped students meet the same curriculum standards as their English-speaking peers was frozen, increasing uncertainty for districts across the country. Catch up quick: President Trump's administration withheld $6.2 billion in federally allocated education funds that were supposed to be available July 1, as it reviews five K-12 programs, including services for English learners. Iowa's current frozen amount is just over $40 million, which includes funding for summer and after-school programs. According to the state's data, English learners accounted for 7.7% of K-12 students in the last completed academic year. That's a rise of more than 8,300 students compared with five years ago, when English learners made up 6.1% of the student body. Zoom in: Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) has the most English learners in the state, increasing over the past five years from 6,839 to 7,698, per state data. English learners made up 27% of the DMPS student body in the 2024-25 school year, increasing just over 4.5 percentage points from five years earlier. The district employs 160 teachers and staff members to support its English Language Learners program. By the numbers: Districts receive extra money for English learners, with more than $40.3 million spent across nearly every school district in the state last year, according to the Iowa Department of Education. That included $9.5 million for DMPS and nearly $1.6 million for West Des Moines. The intrigue: DMPS planned $3.5 million in new spending for its English Language Learners programs in the 2025-26 school year, the DSM Register reported in April. What they're saying: It's too early to tell how the federal freeze might affect the program, DMPS spokesperson Amanda Lewis told Axios on Monday.
Miami Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Big Interview and Verizon Launch Partnership to Help Underserved Job Seekers Secure Higher-Paying Careers
New collaboration will equip Skill Forward participants with professional interview training to convert new skills into better jobs. NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / June 24, 2025 / Big Interview, a leader in job interview training and career readiness, announced today a partnership with Verizon as part of its nationwide Verizon Forward and Skill Forward initiatives. The goal: to ensure that participants-many of whom come from under-resourced backgrounds-have the tools to turn their newly acquired skills into higher-paying, long-term employment. As part of Verizon's goal to train 50,000 individuals by 2030 to help them advance their careers, this collaboration brings world-class interview preparation and coaching directly to Skill Forward learners at no cost. "We're honored to support Verizon Forward customers and Skill Forward participants as they take the next step toward better jobs and brighter futures," said Alex Andrei, CEO of Big Interview. "For someone who's invested time in building new skills, interview prep can be the difference between landing a job or starting over. We're here to make sure they finish strong." Big Interview's training platform is proven to help job seekers dramatically reduce their time to employment, from the national average of 21.1 weeks (per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) to as few as 4 weeks. The platform is especially effective for individuals facing barriers to employment, including gaps in work history or limited access to traditional career coaching. "Verizon is pleased to partner with Big Interview to offer Verizon Skill Forward learners a free job readiness resource," said Carrie Hughes, AVP, Social Innovation. "In today's highly competitive market, individuals must have both in-demand skills as well as the confidence to effectively present themselves and their abilities. This partnership aims to provide practical, real-world job search preparation that empowers our learners for success in the next phase of their careers." Key Features of the Partnership: ● Comprehensive Interview Training: On-demand curriculum covering all major question types, tailored for both entry-level and advanced roles. ● Customized Mock Interviews: Realistic simulations for over 1,100 careers, plus specialized tools for English Language Learners and job seekers with employment gaps or disabilities. ● AI-Powered Feedback and Action Plans: Personalized coaching guidance driven by AI and developed by career experts. About Big Interview: Big Interview is a trusted career development platform used by more than 1 million job seekers and over 700 organizations, including universities, government agencies, and Fortune 500 companies. The platform provides structured learning, AI-powered mock interviews, and expert-backed tools to help individuals build confidence, improve outcomes, and succeed in today's competitive job market. Learn more at About Verizon:Verizon Communications Inc. powers and empowers how its millions of customers live, work and play, delivering on their demand for mobility, reliable network connectivity and security. Headquartered in New York City, serving countries worldwide and nearly all of the Fortune 500, Verizon generated revenues of $134.8 billion in 2024. Verizon's world-class team never stops innovating to meet customers where they are today and equip them for the needs of tomorrow. For more, visit or find a retail location at Contact Information Libby Micheletti Head of Marketing, Big Interviewpress@
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama leaders react to proposed cuts at Dept. of Education
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said they are watching for any budget changes at the Department of Education. President Donald Trump's proposed education budget could result in cuts to some state programs. 'The changes are concerning on different levels,' said Dr. Corey Jones, Superintendent of Greene County Schools. Dr. Jones explained that those concerns have to do with federal education cuts. With less than 900 students in his school system, he said funding matters. 'You start looking at eliminating resources that will help any student assimilate and learn into our culture, you're not benefitting that student or their family,' said Dr. Jones. President Trump's proposal includes a $12 billion cut in education funding compared to last year's budget. Dr. Mackey said that would eliminate federal funding for English Language Learners (ELL). 'Again, if the federal funds were to go away. we would lose ground,' said Dr. Mackey. 'Because we would just be using state money to plug a federal hole. But, right now, it doesn't look like Congress is probably gonna do that.' Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announces changes for CDL holders State Education Budget Chairman, Sen. Arthur Orr (R-Decatur), said it's premature to be concerned. He said the state budget is in great shape. 'Our federal government has a $37 trillion operating deficit that is extensive,' said Sen. Orr. 'It's massive. And cuts are gonna have to happen somewhere.' But Rep. Phillip Ensler (D-Montgomery) said that funding is critical. 'Yes, the state should prepare for the worst-case situation. But members of Congress, especially those in the Alabama delegation, should do the right thing and support the U.S. Department of Education,' Rep. Ensler said. Dr. Mackey said they are watching the proposal closely. 'Congress is a kind of slow moving, large body,' he explained. 'And we think that when it's all said and done, we're probably gonna be looking at level funding. So, level funding in an age of inflation is not the best, but it's certainly better than cuts.' Dr. Mackey said the state is at record levels of support for English Language Learners when it comes to state funds. He said the state only relied on federal dollars for those programs five years ago. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Chicago Tribune
04-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
CTU threatens to sue over proposed CPS budget cuts
The Chicago Teachers Union is threatening to sue the Chicago Board of Education over budget plans proposed by outgoing schools chief Pedro Martinez that it says constitute unfair labor practices and violations of the recently ratified contract. CTU President Stacy Davis Gates sent a letter to the school board on Tuesday, June 3, characterizing Martinez and his team's proposals to balance the Chicago Public Schools' 2026 fiscal budget as 'attempts at vindictive sabotage.' The new fiscal year begins on July 1. The union settled a new $1.5 billion four-year contract in late April, following a year of negotiations. CPS has said there is enough money to cover the first year of the contract, but has not specified plans for the other three. In recent weeks, CPS suggested delaying the proposals outlined in the new union contract to balance the budget for next year, given challenging financial circumstances, according to the CTU letter. Those delayed proposals would affect agreements around class size and staffing levels, the letter states, affecting English Language Learners and students with disabilities. 'To be clear, the district does not have the option of delaying investments it is contractually obligated to make under our (collective bargaining agreement), for FY26 or any other year of the agreement,' Davis Gates writes in the letter. Facing a $529 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, district officials pushed back. They indicated in a statement to the Tribune that they may need to review new proposals under various labor agreements to ensure long-term sustainability. Salary increases, they assured, are already in motion and included in the budget. 'If any changes to the collective bargaining agreement are needed, the District will work in partnership with our labor partners to identify solutions together,' the statement reads. The proposals in the new teachers contract include increased salaries for veteran teachers, more librarians and nurses, and mandates around class sizes, among hundreds of other asks. In the letter, Davis Gates writes that 'the terminated CEO is recommending the school district expose itself to massive legal liability by breaking these contractual promises.' She adds that the district's proposed cuts could trigger 'state investigations, monitorship, and costly compensatory services.' Ultimately, she strongly urges board members to reject Martinez's plan. Typically, when a dispute arises regarding the interpretation or enforcement of any of the proposals in a teachers contract, CTU initiates a grievance process that may be submitted to arbitration, where an impartial arbitrator makes a binding decision. But if any party believes that the contract has been violated in a manner not addressable through arbitration, they may seek legal action. Facing a $529 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2026, CPS had planned for months on how to make cuts in a way that minimizes the impact on schools. At a school board meeting last week, Martinez publicly stated that the district would attempt to make cuts at the administrative level to avoid affecting schools as much as possible. The school district released its school-level budgets on May 15, which are based on $300 million in new revenue. That still leaves $229 million in debt, and the necessity for some cuts, CPS said in its Wednesday statement. 'The proposed reductions — totaling up to 15 percent of CPS' budgets for more than 40 departments — aim to protect school funding and critical investments in District programming and operations,' the statement reads. Davis Gates, a close ally of Mayor Brandon Johnson, repeatedly attacked Martinez for his handling of the contract negotiations process. She nodded to that in Tuesday's letter, saying that his 'unfamiliarity with how contract negotiations work resulted in months of avoidable confusion, tension, and turmoil, delaying the settlement of our contract.' In the letter, she says that Martinez has gone on to brag about the accomplishments of the contract. Those are the very same measures — she says — that he is seeking to cut. Martinez is leaving the district June 18 after a long, drawn-out battle with Mayor Johnson and the union over district finances.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Randomized Control Trial Finds Statistically Significant Gains from Littera's Virtual Math Tutoring for Middle School Students
NEW YORK, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A new randomized control trial (RCT), funded by Accelerate, found that middle school students who received virtual small-group tutoring from Littera Education made statistically significant academic gains compared to peers using other intervention tools and software. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Chicago Education Lab and MDRC as part of Accelerate's Personalized Learning Initiative, which aims to identify effective, scalable strategies to combat unfinished learning. Littera's program, which matches students with high-quality tutors in a 1:3 virtual setting, outperformed control groups across key learning metrics. The work took place in Greenville County School District 1, a 77,000-student district in South Carolina. Littera provided high-impact math tutoring services for approximately 750 students in grades 6-8 across three Title I middle schools as part of a three-arm randomized control trial with over 2,000 students participating. The 2023-2024 school year program consisted of two 10-week tutoring sprints with training, site-visits, surveys, and progress monitoring as part of the implementation. On average, students who received Littera's virtual tutoring made a statistically significant improvement of .11 standard deviations (p value=.006) as measured by an index of end-of-year math scores. This acceleration equates to approximately 32% of the math that an average middle school student learns in a school year. Of the participants, 87% were students of color and 46% were English Language Learners. "This study breaks new ground as the first large-scale randomized controlled trial to demonstrate statistically significant gains in middle grades math through virtual small-group tutoring," said Dr. Matthew Steinberg, Managing Director of Research and Evaluation at Accelerate. "These findings are a major step forward in identifying scalable, cost-effective tutoring models that can help school systems address existing and longstanding learning gaps and accelerate student progress in core academic subjects, and adds to a growing body of evidence on the promising effects of virtual tutoring." "Skilled math tutors for upper grades content are difficult to source locally at the scale necessary to address the needs of school districts," says Justin Serrano, Founder and CEO of Littera. "Demonstrating that significant results can be achieved in a small group, fully virtual format speaks to the transformative potential of high-impact tutoring." This study marks Littera's second study focused on virtual tutoring for middle school math. The first study, conducted by Brown University, compared 1:1 and small group tutoring outcomes. The current research further illustrates effectiveness with small group tutoring. Littera Education and Greenville County School District are excited to continue the collaboration this fall through South Carolina's Palmetto Math Project. Read the full study findings here. About Littera EducationLittera partners with K-12 districts to customize high-impact tutoring, designed to unlock student potential and foster success in Reading, Math and English Language Acquisition. Littera provides customized tutoring solutions to drive student outcomes. With our virtual tutors, curriculum integrations, and the Littera Tutoring Management System, schools can reach every learner with individualized support. For information, visit Contact Person:Alison Burkealisonb@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Littera Education Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
