Starting From Scratch: A Rural District’s Path to Supporting New Multilingual Students Without State or Federal Support

This fictional case narrative based on real-world challenges explores and builds upon prior research on the complex issue of multilingual learner–English learner 1 (ML-EL) program services in rural or low ML-EL incidence 2 school districts. 3 The lack of funding, accountability, and trained ML-EL program administrators has expanded school districts’ challenges as they seek to serve an increasingly diversified population. This case illustrates how several rural school districts support ML-EL students and families. 4 Grounded in loose coupling and critical race theory, the case activities encourage students to examine the facts of the case from the prospective of a school administrator.