State Resources

This presentation outlines the legal foundations of the 2015 Dear Colleague Letter, reaffirming protections for English learner students that remain in place across the country. 

Suggested citation: Hopkins, M. (2025). Foundations of the 2015 Dear Colleague Letter. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This fact sheet provides a brief overview of the importance and benefits of English-learner (EL) education. Given recent federal changes, it is critical that states take action to support the education of EL students.

Suggested citation: Weddle, H., and Hopkins, M. (2025). Support for EL Education: Why it is Needed and What States Can Do. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This inventory provides examples of state legislation related to English-learner (EL) education. As the federal policy landscape continues to shift, it is more important now than ever for states to have policies in place to support the education of EL students.

Suggested citation: Shanahan, K. and Weddle, H. (2025). English Learner Legislation Examples Across States. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This infographic outlines why Title III funding is critical for educating the nation’s English learners, including considerations for state and local leaders.

Suggested citation: Partnering for Equity in Education Policy (2024). Importance of Title III Funding.

This resource is intended to inform state and local education leaders about protecting equity for English learner (EL) students amidst potential federal policy shifts outlined in Project 2025. Through a series of cross-state conversations, we considered the important role education leaders can and should play in protecting EL education.

Suggested citation: Partnering for Equity in Education Policy (2025). Unpacking Project 2025 and Protecting English Learners’ Rights.

This report outlines current EL-related provisions within the Every Student Succeeds Act and describes considerations and recommendations for states as they continue to implement them. The information can guide state leaders as they work to ensure educational continuity in a time of uncertainty and guide improvement in EL education across their state’s K-12 public schools.

Suggested citation: Hopkins, M. (2025) Implementing federal English learner policy: Guidance for state educational agencies. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This resource includes guidance on selecting, implementing, and reporting on language instruction educational programs.

Suggested citation: Hopkins, M. (2024). Selecting and implementing language instruction educational programs. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This resource includes guidance to support state leaders with improving the ML educator pipeline. The document begins with key leverage points for state leaders, followed by an overview of resources focused on strengthening the ML educator pipeline. The resource concludes with suggestions for future research and resources.

Suggested citation: Weddle, H., and Parker, C. (2024). Addressing Multilingual Learner Educator Shortages. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This resource outlines a framework and accompanying materials to support effective state level collaborations focused on improving educational opportunities for multilingual learners.

Suggested citation: Kangas, S., and Lowenhaupt, R. (2024). Enhancing state level collaboration for multilingual learners. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This resource offers guidance for state education agency leaders who are interested in designing and implementing a statewide framework to build a coherent and aligned system that supports ML equity and excellence.

Suggested citation: Hopkins, M. and Lowenhaupt, R. (2024). Guidance for the design and implementation of a statewide framework for ML education. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

The first resource contains a toolkit related to the accurate identification and evaluation of MLs for special education and related services. The second resource outlines approaches to improve services and support for MLs with disabilities.

Suggested citation: Kangas, S. (2023). Improving education for ML students with disabilities. Partnering for Equity in Education Policy.

This guide introduces a set of equity-focused resources for SEA leaders to use to engage state and local stakeholders in continuous-improvement processes in EL policy & practice. The resources are designed to support state leaders as they develop, revise, and refine guidance across the areas of EL instruction, assessment, family engagement and professional learning.

Suggested citation: Hopkins, M. & Weddle, H. (2022). State Leadership Guide for Engaging Stakeholders in Continuous Improvement of EL Programs and Services Council of Chief State School Officers.