Carney unveils English language learner plan at North Georgetown Elementary

Gov. John Carney announced Wednesday the details of his English Learner Strategic Plan to help improve the educational experience for non-English speaking students in Delaware.

The plan lays the groundwork for the state to improve services for English language learners, he told a crowd at North Georgetown Elementary School, which serves more than 500 English language learners, making up 60.8 percent of its student body, according to a release from the governor's office.

“The changing demographics of Delaware require us to think differently about how we provide learning opportunities for our students, particularly to our English learners, to ensure they acquire the language skills they need to be ready for success in college, career and life,” Carney said in the release.

The plan includes engaging every English language learner in high-quality instruction and assessment designed to meet individual needs, fostering highly effective teachers to help teach English, continue to refine English language learner education through data analysis and engage the community.

READ MORE: Anti-discrimination proposal draws protest, ire from Sussex parents

In order to help promote English language learning in Delaware schools, Carney has asked a group of community leaders to be a part of the Governor's Advisory Council for English Learners headed by Javier Torrijos, who is the chair of the Delaware Hispanic Commission, and Guy Danjoint.

Both Torrijos and Danjoint were part of the original steering committee for the state's English Learner Strategic plan. They will work with community groups, state agencies and administration to round out the council in the coming months.

“The English learner student population has grown at a fast rate and the majority of the population is Hispanic,” Torrijos said in a release. “It is very important that Delaware meets the educational needs of all EL students.

These students not only face a language barrier but also often come from low-income homes that present more challenges for them to obtain a higher education and eventually a pathway to a successful career.

Since 1997, the amount of English language learners in Delaware has increased by 433 percent, and Delaware schools are serving nearly 12,000 English language learners, according to the release.

The Indian River School District has the highest percentage of English language learners in the state at 15.5 percent, or nearly one out of every six students.

“To meet the needs of our students, we must coordinate services and collaborate with our community partners,” said Mark Steele, superintendent of the Indian River School District, in the release. “Together, we can help every child succeed.”

READ MORE: After school board member resigns, Indian River seeks candidates to fill spot

On Twitter @hughesg19