Introduction and FY26 (26-27 SY) ESSA Funding Updates

By David J. Holbrook Greetings from Colorado. Some of you may know me or know of me because of my previous collaborations with EduSkills, or from other activities and events. I’ve previously written a few newsletter articles, was interviewed for a Cultural Connections podcast, provided a webinar, and spoke at a couple of conferences on […]

What Multilingual Learners Need Most in the Second Half of the School Year

The second half of the school year often feels different. The urgency of fall has passed. Testing season may be underway or just behind us. Energy looks different for students and educators alike. For multilingual learners, language development hasn’t paused, even if attention has shifted to new priorities. This part of the year isn’t about […]

Better Together: Navigating ELP Testing as a Team

As we move into English Proficiency Testing (ELP) testing season, many educators are balancing already full plates from instruction, planning, student support, and the added logistics that come with assessment windows. For multilingual learners, this season can feel especially demanding. ELP testing asks students to demonstrate language growth while navigating unfamiliar formats, extended testing time, […]

Voices From the Field: Collaboration, Hope, and What We Can Control

December always invites a moment of pause; a chance to look back at what we’ve overcome, what we’ve learned, and what we’re still holding onto as we close out the year. And for those supporting multilingual learners, this moment feels especially meaningful. It’s no secret that the climate around immigration and multilingual education has been […]

Tools for Collaboration: Turning Data into Dialogue for Multilingual Learners

As the school year finds its rhythm, collaboration becomes both the anchor and the energy that keeps classrooms moving forward. Amid evolving policies, new student needs, and the shifting realities of funding and resources, one truth remains clear: when educators work together, multilingual learners thrive. At EduSkills, we believe collaboration isn’t an add-on; it’s the […]

From Isolation to Collaboration: How Content and EL Teachers Can Partner for Student Success

Every new school year begins with a fresh mix of optimism and challenge. The policies may shift, the funding might fluctuate, and the acronyms may change, but one thing remains certain: students thrive when educators work together. For multilingual learners (MLs), collaboration between content and English learner (EL) teachers isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential. […]

Stronger Together: How to Partner with Parents Across Languages 

By Rachel Hawthorne  Parent involvement is one of the strongest predictors of student success. When parents feel connected to their child’s school, students are more motivated, achieve higher, and build stronger confidence. For many teachers of multilingual learners, encouraging parent involvement can feel challenging. How can you explain what’s happening in the classroom or invite […]

Starting the School Year Strong: What We Do Know

Every August brings a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. This year, the headlines may feel even heavier—funding questions, shifting policies, and debates that too often put multilingual learners at the center without giving them a voice. But amid the uncertainty, there’s power in remembering what we do know. As educators, advocates, and administrators, we already […]

Looking Back, Moving Forward: How EduSkills Is Powering a New Era for ML Support

A New School Year, A Renewed Mission As educators step into a new school year, there’s a shared sense of urgency and opportunity. Multilingual learners are at the forefront of conversations in both policy and practice, and schools are looking for better tools, deeper insight, and stronger systems to support them. That’s been the EduSkills […]