California's Multilingual Learner achievement gap persists in part because bilingual educational opportunities remain concentrated in formal program models, out of reach for most Multilingual Learner students. New WestEd research conducted in Silicon Valley documents the current state of bilingual program access, resource investment, and family engagement in the region — and identifies concrete levers board members and district leaders in any region of the state can pull to expand those opportunities systemwide. In this session, WestEd researchers will present key findings from the study alongside a district practitioner who will speak to the on-the-ground realities of implementing these strategies — from deploying bilingually authorized staff beyond dedicated bilingual programs to building the school-community relationships that research shows are essential to Multilingual Learner program success. A representative from a community-based organization will also participate, and speak to the barriers multilingual families face in accessing bilingual programs and the critical role family liaisons and community partners play in connecting families to the schools and services they need. Attendees will leave with actionable information and recommendations for their local context, regardless of whether they are in Silicon Valley or not, and an understanding of where policy can expand or constrain progress toward equitable bilingual education access at scale.
