Minnesota: Language as asset

Instead of thinking of their students knowing another language as a problem, these schools are seeing that it is an asset. Knowing another language is very valuable in today's world.     - - Donna Poisl

Pioneer Press editorial

The growing numbers of multilingual students -- often otherwise known as "English language learners" -- in Minnesota schools are getting attention from educators and lawmakers.

It's the result of thoughtful public policy about the students' future -- and Minnesota's.

"We need every one of our English language learners to do well if we're going to do well as a state," said Rep. Carlos Mariani, a St. Paul Democrat whose work this legislative session is reflective of a shift in thinking about how multilingual students are taught.

It's a shift that considers students' home languages an asset as they pursue their educations, even as they learn English.
Click on the HEADLINE above to read the rest of this story! This is only a small part of it.