Arizona Department of Education grants $10M to English Learners Program

PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Education announced Thursday its award of $10 million for an English Language Learners program through a collaboration with nonprofit WestEd.

The targeted funding will go toward WestEd’s Quality Teaching for English Learners, which will implement rigorous, generative instruction for students to accelerate learning, according to a press release.

The program will develop English language proficiency standards, a language development approach and structured English immersion program models.

“Our state’s ability to thrive is dependent on every child receiving a quality education,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman said in a statement.

“We are confident through their experience working with educators, coupled with research-backed approaches, WestEd will be able to train teachers in highly effective practices for our state’s English language learning students.”

Students will learn language, analytical practices and receive support to keep up the work at their school sites, according to the release.

Federal COVID-19 pandemic funding from the American Rescue Plan will aid WestEd in preparing teachers.

“We are excited about the opportunity to support educators as they move Arizona’s guiding documents into practice and enhance instruction for Multilingual Learners,” Annette Gregg, director of English Learner and Migrant Education Services at WestEd, said in a statement.

WestEd’s mission involves working with education throughout the United States and abroad to promote excellence, according to its website.