Students classified as English learners (EL) are a protected class of students with core legal rights. There are clear opportunities to strengthen education policies and practices to improve opportunities and outcomes for EL-classified students. This dissertation is comprised of three studies examining key issues in EL education with the goal of…

This three-article dissertation examined how policy choices in three key policy areas -- initial enrollment, service provision, and reclassification -- impact English learner (EL)-classified students. The first article examined the national landscape of state statutes, regulations, and state education agencies' (SEA) guidance that support…

This study explored a career readiness typology of 629 8th-grade students using the Career Factors Inventory. Data revealed developmentally appropriate elevated needs for information, specifically self-knowledge. In addition, cluster analysis demonstrated the heterogeneity of career development needs of 8th-grade students. Typal membership…