New York City public schools should overhaul its multilingual education policies to better equip its diverse student population, according to a report released by the Multilingual NYC Advisory Council.
More than 44% of students in the city speak a language other than English at home, and they collectively speak over 150 different languages. Roughly 19% of students in the 2024–25 year were classified as English Language Learners, the report said.
The council's report found that some districts lack robust bilingual, dual-language or transitional bilingual education options; there were ongoing deficits in qualified bilingual and world language teachers; multilingual learners faced obstacles in accessing advanced courses, work-based learning; there were persistent language barriers and inaccessible structures that limit families’ ability to participate in their child’s education as advocates and decision-makers, among other things.
“Multilingualism is a superpower, and the insights from our advisors will help us both enhance and create opportunities for students to access the benefits of a high-quality multilingual education," Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a statement.
The council recommended the city Education Department to focus on several issues:
- Establish high quality pathways to multilingualism with equitable access for English Language Learners.
- Strengthen and expand a culturally and linguistically responsive workforce.
- Promote a culture of inclusion and belonging for multilingual and immigrant students and families.
- Foster multilingual and immigrant family and community leadership and advocacy.
- Recognize multilingualism as a core competency for college, career and civic readiness.
The report also outlined how schools can create care closets and family rooms for immigrant students, and how to recruit multilingual teachers.
The report provides a clear roadmap to ensure multilingualism is celebrated and strategically supported across our entire system, said Christina Foti, deputy chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning.
"Our plan is to meet the urgency reflected in the recommendations with immediate action," Foti said.
