The Brian Lehrer Show Trump Administration & English Language Learners
Aug 26, 2025
Ileana Najarro, an Education Week reporter focused on race in U.S. schools, joins linguist Kate Menken, a CUNY research fellow and co-editor of Language Policy. They dive into the Trump administration's controversial rescission of guidance for English Language Learners, outlining the dire implications for over 5 million students. The discussion highlights the impact on discrimination and support, the importance of home languages in learning, and crucial strategies for helping older students thrive academically despite these policy changes.
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Rescission Signals Enforcement Pullback
- Rescinding the Dear Colleague letter does not remove legal protections for English learners under federal law.
- But it signals the Department of Education will deprioritize investigations and enforcement for English learner rights.
What The Dear Colleague Letter Did
- The Dear Colleague letter consolidated Education and Justice Department guidance to ensure language support and access to content.
- It emphasized proper identification, research-backed programs, and prepared teachers for multilingual learners.
Document Failures And Advocate Locally
- Teachers should document and report failures to meet legal obligations for English learners to advocates and districts.
- Keep records because federal enforcement attention may be reduced and local advocacy may be needed.