Language Magazine

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students who began kindergarten as English learners (ELs), on average, progressed to eighth grade with academic achievement similar to or better than their peers who began kindergarten proficient in English, finds a new study by the University of Chicago Consortium on School Research.

Nearly 80% of CPS ELs achieved English proficiency by eighth grade, with the majority (76%) becoming proficient by fifth grade. ELs who demonstrated English proficiency by eighth grade had higher attendance, math test scores, and core course grades than their peers who were never classified as ELs; reading test scores and Freshman OnTrack rates were similar...