Exploring the Diversity and Supports for School District of Philadelphia English Learners as They Prepare to Transition to High School

The School District of Philadelphia (SDP) serves a diverse population of English Learners (ELs) with different ethnic backgrounds, cultural identities, and languages spoken. SDP's population of ELs has grown significantly, from about 12,000 in 2014-15 to nearly 20,000 in 2022-23, an increase of 66%. This community-informed study focuses on English Learners in 7th and 8th grade, grade levels that are often overlooked in research but represent a critical juncture as students prepare to transition to high school. By describing the diversity of 7th and 8th-grade English Learners' backgrounds and experiences, this study challenges the notion that the English Learner population is a monolith. As a foundation for further research on how to meaningfully study the experiences and environments of English Learners, this study describes the diversity of home languages spoken, countries and regions of birth, and duration of EL status across the population of English Learners in the years leading up to their transition to high school. The findings of this study will be of primary interest to district leaders and central office staff, school leaders, and community organizations that support students in Philadelphia who are transitioning to high school, as they seek to more deeply understand the English Learner student population and provide services that improve their experiences and promote their success.