Debby card

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is designed to ensure that all students have a significant opportunity to have a fair and equitable high-quality education and to close educational achievement gaps. These programs provide assistance to rural- and low-income schools and services to students who are migrants, at-risk (including neglected and delinquent), homeless and English learners. In addition, the programs provide assistance to 21st Century Learning Centers and professional development for teachers and leaders.

English Learner (EL) is an individual:

  • who is age 3 through 21;

  • who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school or secondary school;

  • who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English;

  • who is Native American or Alaska Native or a native resident of the outlying areas;

  • who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual’s level of English language proficiency;

  • who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant;

  • whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual;

  • the ability to meet the challenging State academic standards;

  • the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or 

  • the opportunity to participate fully in society.

Migratory Child:

The term ‘migratory child’ means a child or youth who made a qualifying move in the preceding 36 months:

  • as a migratory agricultural working or a migratory fisher; or

  • with, or to join, a parent or spouse who is a migratory agricultural worker or a migratory fisher.