National Association of English Learner Program Administrators

Resources for Newcomer Multilingual Learners

The Newcomer Multilingual Learners (MLs) subgroup of MLs that are at additional risk due to various factors related to their status as being newly arrived in the country. Newcomers are grouped in with the large and heterogeneous English learner category, they have distinct needs that are often unmet by programs and instruction offered to English learners, especially those newcomers who enter U.S. schools in middle or high school. Consequently, newcomers around the country are often unable to access the appropriate public education that is their civil right.


NAELPA participated in a convening of multiple organizations and individuals related to the needs of newcomer students. One of the results of the convening was a letter that was drafted and sent to the U.S. Department of Education (USED) on August 31, 2022. 

Read the Newcomer letter to USED here

The USED sent a response to this letter on October 21, 2022.

Read the USED response letter here

An updated Newcomer Toolkit from USED's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA) is coming soon. The original Newcomer Toolkit is still available.

National Association of English Learner Program Administrators

514 America's Way #4692

Box Elder, SD 57719-7600

directors@naelpa.org

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NAELPA Statement on Assets-Based Terminology

It is important to NAELPA to use asset-based terminology when referring to our work and the population of students we serve. We acknowledge that the current name of this organization, The National Association of English Learner Program Administrators (NAELPA), uses English Learner (EL), which is considered deficit based. With current federal legislation using English Learners (ELs) to identify this population the NAELPA board will continue with this usage for clarity purposes in the short term. However, NAELPA will take an active role in advocating for the wider use of assets-based nomenclature and helping to make it more standardized in our field and beyond.

For a more detailed description, check out the full NAELPA Asset-Based Terminology statement.