Language Access: A Foundational Element to Promote Equity for Dual Language Learners

One in three of all young children in the United States is a Dual Language Learners (DLL)–a child who has at least one parent in the home who speaks a language other than English. Language-access policies that call for the provision of sufficient translation and interpretation services are a critical component of state strategies to promote equitable participation and outcomes for these children and their families. However, too often these policies and services are an afterthought or completely overlooked. in this session, we heard about the connections between language access, equity, and federal language access obligations.

We also learned about recent state successes in improving DLL data collection, securing resources to advance language services, and raising the profile of language justice issues within state early childhood systems.