NYC Public Schools Unveils New Vision for Multilingual Education

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) has unveiled a landmark report, Boldly Reimagining Multilingual Education, marking a significant step in advancing the education of multilingual learners across the city. The report, created by the Multilingual NYC Advisory Council, highlights key opportunities and challenges in supporting students who speak languages other than English and aims to expand equitable access to high-quality multilingual education.

The Multilingual NYC Advisory Council was established in June 2024 to conduct a thorough analysis of multilingual education within the NYCPS system. In its first year, the Council identified critical priorities for creating pathways to multilingualism, global citizenship, and inclusivity for all students.

The report outlines five key priorities that will guide the school system’s efforts to support multilingual learners. These include establishing high-quality pathways to multilingualism with equitable access for English Language Learners (ELLs), strengthening and expanding a culturally and linguistically responsive workforce, promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging for multilingual and immigrant students and families, fostering multilingual and immigrant family leadership and advocacy, and recognizing multilingualism as a core competency for college, career, and civic readiness.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos expressed deep gratitude to all the students, families, staff, and community members who contributed to the Council’s work, emphasizing the significance of multilingualism as a “superpower” for students. “The insights from our advisors will help us enhance and create opportunities for students to access the benefits of a high-quality multilingual education,” she said. “This report reflects our shared commitment to equity and global readiness.”

Christina Foti, Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning, highlighted the report’s defining role in providing a clear roadmap to celebrate and strategically support multilingualism across the entire system. She committed to taking immediate action on the recommendations, including the introduction of new English Language Development curricula and the opening of 28 new bilingual programs.

With 44 percent of NYCPS students speaking a language other than English at home and 1 in 5 students identified as English Language Learners, NYCPS has already taken steps to address the report’s emphasis on program access and inclusion. Among the findings were recommendations to expand access to bilingual programs and increase the number of bilingual teachers.

To support the city’s multilingual students, NYCPS has already rolled out a pilot program in 80 schools across eight districts, providing new curricula designed for Entering and Emerging ELLs in grades K-5. Additionally, NYCPS offers 566 bilingual education programs in 12 languages and plans to introduce more, including the first-ever Albanian bilingual program.

The district has also expanded its heritage language programs, which now serve 31 programs across 29 schools, aimed at students who speak a home language other than English. These programs focus on enhancing students’ engagement through culturally relevant language instruction.

Rita Rodriguez Engberg, Director of the Immigrant Students’ Rights Project at Advocates for Children of NY, stressed the importance of coordinated action to address longstanding inequities, noting, “It is critical that NYCPS take bold, coordinated action to ensure that every multilingual learner has the opportunity to thrive.”

In another significant move, NYCPS has seen a marked increase in the number of students earning the New York State Seal of Biliteracy. Last June, over 2,500 NYCPS students graduated with the seal, a 29 percent increase from the previous year.

The completion of Boldly Reimagining Multilingual Education serves as a bold statement of New York City’s commitment to providing equitable, inclusive education for multilingual learners, paving the way for greater opportunities and academic success.