August 22, 2025
CONTACT:
Graciela González
Director of Communications
[email protected]
312-728-4291
Latino Policy Forum Response to Department of Education Rescission of English Learner Guidance
“By taking extra steps to protect and serve our English Learners, Illinois is a model, proving that states can and must step up when federal leadership refuses to respect the law.”
CHICAGO — This week, the Department of Education confirmed that it had rescinded official guidance directing public schools to accommodate English Learners. As the leading advocacy organization for English Learners in Illinois, the Forum condemned the action as a failure to protect the rights of the fastest growing population of public school students in the country.
“All students, including children learning English, are legally entitled to and deserve equal access to a quality education in this country,” said Latino Policy Forum Vice President of Education Policy, Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro, PhD. “Rescinding the guidance for English Learner students threatens the academic futures of more than 5 million children nationwide, amounting to educational negligence and an assault on their civil rights.”
The longstanding guidance provided direction to schools on their legal obligation under federal law to serve English Learners effectively. Illinois School Code protects the educational rights of the more than 330,000 English Learners in the state, ensuring access to bilingual services and equitable opportunities. Two recent legislative victories, the Safe Schools for All bill and expanded dual language program guidance, demonstrate Illinois’ commitment to creating environments where English Learners can thrive.
“By taking extra steps to protect and serve our English Learners, Illinois is a model, proving that states can and must step up when federal leadership refuses to respect the law,” added Vonderlack-Navarro. “As the leading organization in Illinois advocating for equitable access to education for Latinos, the Latino Policy Forum stands firm in its commitment to English Learners, their families, and their futures. Instead of refusing to protect them, our government should be celebrating our English Learners and making greater investments into programs that support them. English Learners are bright, hardworking, bring tremendous value to their classrooms and peers, and are literally our future.”
The Latino Policy Forum works with leaders, community partners, and other advocates to advance policies and investments that support English Learners in Illinois and partners with school districts and community organizations to equip parents with research-based information to support their child’s academic achievement.
To learn more about how bilingualism supports academic achievement, read Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro’s blog, “Bilingualism is a Bridge to Greater Opportunities: The University of Chicago Study on English Learners in High School,” on the recent findings from a UChicago Consortium on School Research study of English Learners in Chicago public high schools.
Learn more about the Latino Policy Forum’s education workshops for schools, parents, and community groups here.
###
About the Latino Policy Forum
The Latino Policy Forum is the only organization in the Chicago area that facilitates the involvement of Latinos at all levels of public decision-making. The Forum conducts analysis to inform, influence and lead. Its goals are to improve education outcomes, advocate for affordable housing, promote just immigration policies, and engage diverse sectors of the community, with an understanding that advancing Latinos advances a shared future. For more information, visit www.latinopolicyforum.org.