Maryland pushes EL workgroup recommendations as student‑panel highlights classroom needs

Maryland’s English‑learner (EL) population is the fastest growing student group, MSDE staff told the State Board, and the department is pursuing a set of workgroup recommendations to strengthen services, instruction and outcomes.

MSDE summarized the EL workgroup’s findings and recommendations, which include promoting asset‑based multilingual instruction, improving family engagement, implementing evidence‑based EL instructional programs (including two‑way immersion where effective), aligning literacy instruction to the science of reading for ELs, revisiting reclassification criteria (to consider alternate exit pathways for students who plateau on WIDA but perform well academically), and strengthening teacher‑preparation and certification so all classroom teachers are better prepared to serve ELs.

MSDE data presented to the board showed reclassified ELs (students who have exited ELD services) often perform on par with native English peers on MCAP and high‑school assessments, but current cohorts of active ELs lag on graduation and college‑enrollment rates and are less likely to meet college‑and‑career readiness without GPA‑based options. The department noted WIDA ACCESS exit rates historically around 10–13% per year (with a pandemic dip) and said it is exploring alternate exit criteria and targeted supports for long‑term ELs and students with limited or interrupted formal education.

A panel of teachers, ESOL coordinators and student ELs highlighted practical classroom strategies: scaffolding, time to use first language where appropriate, small‑group instruction and high expectations. Teachers cited fear of failure, mental‑health needs and shortages of bilingual teachers and identified the need for restorative practices, culturally responsive training for all educators and better mental‑health supports and bilingual providers. Students credited counselors and ESOL teachers with helping academic progress and inclusion.

Ending: MSDE said it will implement workgroup recommendations through guidance, technical assistance and funding opportunities. Board members asked for further data on reclassification trajectories, program effectiveness by model, and for plans to expand bilingual staffing pipelines.