Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) - October 19, 2017 Updates - Facts and Initiatives for English Learners

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa

Updates from the Texas Association for Bilingual Education (TABE) dated October 19, 2017 highlight TEA efforts to expand and strengthen research-based supports for Texas English learners. It presents key Texas ELL facts using PEIMS 2016–2017 data, including total ELL enrollment, language representation, and service distribution across bilingual and ESL programs. The update also outlines initiatives to improve supports for English learners with disabilities and enhance web-based resources, alongside a dual language implementation goal with guidance, tools, and professional development aligned to state requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages50

Reading Time2 h 6 min

AccessFree to download

Facts about English Learners in Texas

English Learner enrollment and share in Texas

Top prominent languages

ELLs served in bilingual or ESL programs

Additional ELL program categories

Improve and enhance supports

Supports for English learners with disabilities

Enhancement of web-based resources

Dual Language Implementation Initiative

Texas Education Agency Updates TEXAS ASSOCIATION FOR BILINGUAL EDUCATION (TABE) OCTOBER 19, 2017 COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Exciting Times at the Texas Education Agency! • A shift and expansion of focus • Building on the team’s hard work over the past few years, we now have the opportunity to enhance the supports the TEA provides to school districts to ensure that the most effective research-based programming is provided for the state’s English learners • Dr. Barbara Kennedy, Director of English Learner Support • Susie Coultress, Director of Bilingual/ESL/Title III • Roberto Manzo, Coordinator • Rickey Santellana, Title III Coordinator • Elizet Rodríguez, Dual Language Specialist • TBD, Sheltered Instruction/Content-based ESL Specialist COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Facts about English Learners in Texas | 1,125,000
1,050,000
975,000
900,000
825,000
750,000
675,000
600,000
525,000
450,000
375,000
300,000
225,000
150,000
75,000
0 | English Language Learners in Texas | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | 1010756 | | | | | | | 930737 | 980591 | | | | | | 864769 | 900476 | | | | | | 831904 | 838494 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 | | | | | | | Source: PEIMS 2016-2017 In the 2016-2017 school year, there were 1,010,756 English language learners (ELLs) in Texas public schools, which represent 18.89% of the total student enrollment. COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Source: PEIMS 2016-217 COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. There are over 120 languages represented in Texas public schools. Top prominent languages | Language | Total | Percent | | --- | --- | --- | | Spanish | 911,680 | 90.29% | | Vietnamese | 16,262 | 1.61% | | Arabic | 11,835 | 1.17% | | Urdu | 5,130 | 0.51% | | Mandarin Chinese | 4,735 | 0.47% | | Burmese | 3,749 | 0.37% | Source: PEIMS 2016-2017 COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. English Language Learners served in a Bilingual or an ESL Program in 2016-2017 53% 47% ELLs in a Bilingual Program, 537,055 ELLs in an ESL Program, 468,710 Source: PEIMS 2016-2017 COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. • ELLs with Parent Denials: 33,708 • Special Ed ELLs in a Bilingual Program: 26,832 • Special Ed ELLs in an ESL Program: 45,254 Source: PEIMS 2016-2017 COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Improve Supports for English Learners with Disabilities Phases: 1. This initiative will seek to improve the processes by which English learners with disabilities are identified and served through the revision of existing policies . The field will be better equipped to appropriately identify and serve students with disabilities who are also English learners . 2. Create a system of technical support/resources for LEAs. COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Enhancement of Web-based Resources for English learner Programs • This initiative will build new resources and strengthen the current resources available through the ELL web portal to enhance program implementation and better serve families and practitioners . COPYRIGHT © TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY, 2017. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Dual Language Implementation Initiative • Goal: Increase both the footprint and the effective implementation of dual language programs across the state, one-way and two-way, based on current resear

FAQs

How many English language learners were in Texas public schools in 2016-2017, and what share of enrollment did they represent?

There were 1,010,756 English language learners (ELLs) in Texas public schools in 2016-2017, representing 18.89% of total student enrollment.

Which language groups are most prominent among English learners in Texas?

The most prominent language listed is Spanish (911,680; 90.29%), followed by Vietnamese (16,262; 1.61%) and Arabic (11,835; 1.17%).

What initiatives does the update describe to strengthen support for English learners?

It describes improving supports for English learners with disabilities, enhancing web-based resources through the ELL web portal, and a Dual Language Implementation Initiative with guidance, tools, resources, and professional development aligned to state requirements.

Oct 2, 2026

Uploaded by Elsa