loading . . . Toward a Bilingual Future for English Learners Bilingual education has been proven to support all studentsā second language acquisition, literacy development, and academic achievement. The benefits of bilingual education hold particular promise for the 5.3 million students identified as English learners (ELs) in the U.S. Yet, many EL students lack access to programs that support their development towards becoming bilingual and biliterate. With the shrinking federal role, states and school districts have an opportunity to lead in implementing asset-based approaches to EL education, including expanding bilingual education.Ā Please join SEAL and New America for a webinar on June 25, 2025 from 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm EDT where we will reflect on the evolution of English learner education in the U.S., unravel misconceptions about language education, and refresh attendees on the benefits of bilingual education for ELs.The webinar will feature a panel discussion with bilingual education researchers and a moderated conversation with a school system leader about how they have utilized bilingual education to advance academic success for their students. These conversations will elevate effective practices and policies, highlight challenges and solutions, and emphasize the continued need to invest in bilingual education.Ā School District Conversation Moderator:Ā Tara GarcĆa Mathewson, Investigative Education Reporter for CalMatters and The MarkupFeatured School District: Azusa Unified School DistrictNorma Camacho, Assistant Superintendent K-12, Azusa Unified School DistrictPanel Discussion Moderator: Martha I.Martinez,Ā PhD., Head of Research & Evaluation at SEALIlana Umansky, PhD., Associate Professor, College of Education, Education Policy and Leadership, Quantitative Research Methods in Education at the University of OregonKate Menken, Ed.D., Professor of Linguistics and Research Fellow at the Research Institute for the Study of Language in an Urban Society, Queens College, CUNYChristine Montecillo Leider, PhD., Assistant Professor, Multilingual Learner Education at UMass LowellMagaly Lavadenz, PhD., Endowed Professor of Moral and Ethical Leadership and Founding Executive Director of the Center for Equity for English Learners, Loyola Marymount University https://events.newamerica.org/towardsabilingualfutureforenglishlearners