States and Districts with the Highest Number and Share of English Language Learners, 2009

Over 5.3 million U.S. students during the 2007-08 academic year were enrolled in English Language Learner (ELL) programs. While the share of ELL enrollment varies state to state, nationwide this figure represents roughly 10.7 percent of the total pre-K-12 student population. This fact sheet examines the states and school districts with the highest number and share of ELL students and offers a detailed breakdown of some key statistics.

The report finds that the highest share of ELL students can be found in Nevada, California, and New Mexico, at 31, 24.3, and 18.5 percent respectively. Moreover, during the 2004-05 academic year, one-fourth of the total ELL enrollment in the United States was distributed between just 25 school districts. With key data tables and an interactive map, this fact sheet should prove useful to policymakers, educators, and researchers engaged in English learning and integration efforts.