How Oversight is Helping Emerging Multilingual Learners Succeed

Students whose first language isn't English bring many strengths to the classroom but also face unique challenges. How do we ensure that these students have the support and resources they need to navigate the complex journey of becoming multilingual? 

Imagine being a student who walks into a classroom where the language being spoken isn’t their first language or what is spoken at home. This is the reality for thousands of DC PCSB students known as Emerging Multilingual Learners (EML). These students bring many strengths to the classroom but also face unique challenges. How do we ensure that these students have the support and resources they need to navigate the complex journey of becoming multilingual? 

At DC PCSB we’ve been addressing that question for years. In 2023, we officially adopted the term Emerging Multilingual Learners to recognize and celebrate the linguistic skills of students learning English. Over the years, the number of EMLs at DC PCS has grown. As of the 2023–2024 school year, more than 4,000 EMLs are enrolled in public charter schools across the District. With this increase comes the need to ensure these students have equitable access to quality education and resources.

DC PCSB’s oversight practices have evolved to meet this need and we are driving positive change for students. Our approach to overseeing EML programs has come a long way. Back in 2015, our oversight was compliance-focused—schools simply completed assurance letters. By 2017, we shifted gears to focus on monitoring program quality. We developed indicators to identify schools that may need assistance in serving EMLs. 

Fast forward to 2023, our policy now emphasizes auditing and monitoring with a transparent framework. This ensures schools understand the interventions that may occur if they meet audit criteria. This approach fosters equity, transparency, and accountability. Through this approach, we can begin to engage schools around how they support EMLs. 

Audits are more than just evaluations—they’re opportunities for schools to reflect on their practices, identify gaps, and refine their approach. When DC PCSB audits a school, the goal is to become thought partners with school leaders. We strive to raise awareness of the school’s practices and always offer space for school leaders to share their perspectives on their EML program and what is happening at their schools. 

Monitoring is also essential in capturing the experience an EML student is having at school. By reviewing and tracking data points, such as chronic absenteeism, discipline, enrollment, and academic progress, we can better understand how EMLs receive support and, if applicable, how a school is iterating their program to meet the needs of their EML students better.. At its core, our policy aligns with a shared goal among public charter schools and DC PCSB: providing every student, regardless of their background or language, with access to quality education. To ensure EML students thrive, schools must meet the following criteria:

  • Provide meaningful access to all curricular and extracurricular programs.
  • Avoid unnecessary segregation of EML students.
  • Offer language assistance programs that are properly staffed and monitor the program's effectiveness.
  • Serve students who opt out of EML services and provide dual services for students with special education needs.
  • Identify, assess, monitor, and exit students appropriately from EML programs.
  • Ensure meaningful communication with parents who have limited English proficiency.

These requirements set a clear standard for schools to meet the needs of EML students and create an inclusive environment for all.

When schools are not meeting the criteria, DC PCSB has a range of interventions to support schools in taking proactive action around the service they provide for EML students, including:

  • Pre-Audit Warnings: Early notifications to highlight a possible growth area in a school’s EML program and the provision of resources to assist the school before they meet an audit criteria.
  • Desk and On-Site Audits: In-depth reviews of school practices, with follow-up monitoring and recommendations.
  • Collaborative Solutions: Thought partnership and recommendations to revise internal processes, technical assistance from OSSE, 

Since revising the audit policy in 2023, DC PCSB has seen a shift on how public charter schools support EML students. . By focusing on quality, we’re helping schools reimagine what it means to deliver impactful programs for their students.

The work isn’t done, but it’s clear that a thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative oversight process can lead to meaningful change. Together, we’re ensuring that DC’s Emerging Multilingual Learners have the tools, support, and opportunities they need to succeed.

To learn more about serving EMLs and best practices around supporting EMLs, DC PCSB hosts quarterly learning sessions for all school staff through our Emerging Multilingual Learner Professional Learning Community. The next session will be held in January and you can register using this link.