Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos Announces Completion of the Boldly Reimagining Multilingual Report, Expands Programs to Support Multilingual Learners

NEW YORK, NY – New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) today announced the completion of Boldly Reimagining Multilingual Education, the first report created by the agency’s Multilingual NYC Advisory Council. First announced in June 2024, the Multilingual NYC Advisory Council was established to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the state of multilingual education across the system. In its inaugural year, the Council identified key opportunities and challenges in ensuring that every NYCPS student has access to a clear pathway toward multilingualism and global citizenship. 

 

In their report, the Council shared five key priorities to guide system-wide efforts, ensuring equitable access to high-quality multilingual learning for all students:

 

 

“I am beyond thankful for all the students, families, staff, and community members who sat on the Council over the last year,” said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Multilingualism is a superpower, and the insights from our advisors will help us both enhance and create opportunities for students to access the benefits of a high-quality multilingual education. I am thrilled that this report reflects our shared commitment to equity and global readiness, and that it marks a bold step forward in building a more inclusive future for our students and families.”

“The Boldly Reimagining Multilingual Education report is a defining step forward, providing a clear roadmap to ensure multilingualism is celebrated and strategically supported across our entire system.,” said Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Inclusive and Accessible Learning, Christina Foti. “Our plan is to meet the urgency reflected in the recommendations with immediate action. By strengthening our workforce, fostering family leadership, and expanding initiatives like our new English Language Development curricula pilot and the opening of 28 new bilingual programs, we are delivering on our commitment to inclusive and accessible learning for every child.”

 

Following the formation of the Advisory Council, a comprehensive review identified key opportunities to strengthen support for multilingual learners across NYCPS. The Council’s work highlighted resource gaps and charted a unified path forward to address them. Among its findings were the need to expand access to programs and to increase the number of bilingual teachers. Building on these recommendations, NYCPS will develop a five-year strategic plan and engage community members through meetings, working groups, and public presentations.

 

With 44 percent of students speaking a language other than English at home and 1 in 5 students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) across the system, NYCPS has already begun to take steps to address the report’s significant emphasis on access to quality programs and inclusive schools.

"Multilingualism is a gift and a door that fosters empathy, understanding and sharpens cognitive skills. Being able to connect with someone in their native language is valuable,” said Student Advisor Tanjima Jahan. “As a NYCPS student, I've worked closely with the advisors to create a more inclusive space for multilingual students in New York City public schools. The NYC multilingual advisory council advocates for student accommodations, ensuring that multilingual students receive the support they need to thrive academically, leveraging their unique linguistic talents."

“For far too long, Multilingual Learners have faced barriers to the high-quality education they deserve,” said Rita Rodriguez Engberg, Director of the Immigrant Students’ Rights Project, Advocates for Children of NY. “It is critical that NYCPS take bold, coordinated action to address these longstanding inequities. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with NYCPS to advance the Council’s recommendations and ensure that every Multilingual Learner has the opportunity to thrive.”

 

At the Chancellor’s State of Our Schools address in September, NYCPS announced a new pilot bringing two English Language Development curricula to 80 schools across eight districts to ensure the needs of our ELL students are met. Building on the effectiveness of the NYC Reads initiative, these curricula aim to serve as a stand alone core English curriculum for Entering and Emerging ELLs in grades K-5. 

 

Additionally, to support pathways to multilingualism for every student, NYCPS offers 566 bilingual education programs in 12 languages, and is supporting 28 new programs to open this school year, including the first Albanian program. To support continued language development for students who are heritage language speakers, NYCPS has expanded the Spanish and Mandarin heritage language program pilot from 6 programs to 31 programs across 29 schools. Heritage language programs promote increased engagement for students who speak or understand a home or heritage language other than English through a more rigorous model of language instruction that supports cultural connection and pride.

NYCPS also remains committed to increasing the number of schools offering the New York State Seal of Biliteracy and the number of languages in which the seal is offered each year. Last June, more than 2,500 NYCPS students across 132 schools graduated with the New York State Seal of Biliteracy – a 29 percent increase in recipients and a 23 percent expansion in participating schools compared to the previous year.

 

Contact: Chancellor’s Press Office press@schools.nyc.gov   

  

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