This policy brief, intended for education policymakers, enumerates concerns about literacy which have surfaced in recent years. The brief notes that: (1) American schools have seen enormous changes in student demographics; (2) increased testing of third and fourth graders has provided concrete evidence for what was, in years past, a suspected but…

Discusses multiple challenges faced by community-based English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) and adult-literacy programs, explaining how to integrate ESL instruction into existing literacy programs, respond to diverse student needs, create community partnerships to support and fund the ESL program, contribute back to the community, and build capacity…

Dispels myths about Chinese-speaking students in U.S. schools, including myths about where Chinese students come from and what language they speak; difficulties they face when learning English; cultural influences on education; learning behavior and attitudes toward education; and parents' attitudes toward education. Emphasizes that Chinese…