Rethinking English Learner Data: Illinois’ Plans Under the Every Student Succeeds Act

This New America report explores Illinois’ approach to serving students who are English Language Learners (EL), looking at strengths and challenges related to these EL student outcomes and how the state approaches these challenges in their Every Student Succeeds Act ESSA plans using a New America framework. Recommendations for other states listed in this report include: reporting disaggregated EL student outcomes data, differentiating timeframes for language acquisition, using growth models that account for various contributing factors, using academic achievement data with caution, and reporting demographic needs data with outcomes data.