Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2009 May 1;23(2):355-384.
doi: 10.1177/0895904807310034.

ESL Placement and Schools: Effects on Immigrant Achievement

Rebecca Callahan  1 , Lindsey Wilkinson, Chandra Muller, Michelle Frisco
Affiliations

ESL Placement and Schools: Effects on Immigrant Achievement

Rebecca Callahan et al. Educ Policy (Los Altos Calif). .

Abstract

In this study, the authors explore English as a Second Language (ESL) placement as a measure of how schools label and process immigrant students. Using propensity score matching and data from the Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement Study and the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, the authors estimate the effect of ESL placement on immigrant achievement. In schools with more immigrant students, the authors find that ESL placement results in higher levels of academic performance; in schools with few immigrant students, the effect reverses. This is not to suggest a one-size-fits-all policy; many immigrant students, regardless of school composition, generational status, or ESL placement, struggle to achieve at levels sufficient for acceptance to a 4-year university. This study offers several factors to be taken into consideration as schools develop policies and practices to provide immigrant students opportunities to learn.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Abedi J, Lord C. The language factor in mathematics tests. Applied Measurement in Education. 2001;14(3):219–234.
    1. Adelman C. Answers in the tool box: Academic intensity, attendance patterns, and bachelor’s degree attainment. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement; 1999.
    1. Alba RD, Nee V. Remaking the American mainstream: Assimilation and contemporary immigration. Harvard University Press; Cambridge, MA: 2003.
    1. Becker SO, Ichino A. Estimation of average treatment effects based on propensity scores. The Stata Journal. 2002;2(4):358–377.
    1. Bidwell CE, Kasarda JD. School district organization and student achievement. American Sociological Review. 1975;40(1):55–70.

LinkOut - more resources