English Learners in Ohio

Ohio schools currently serve over 80,000 students who are English learners. Spanish is the home or primary language of about one-third of the state's English learners. Somali, Arabic, Swahili, Chinese, Japanese, Nepali, Pennsylvania Dutch, French, Turkish, and over 90 other languages are also spoken by Ohio's English learners.

Federal law requires Ohio schools to identify English learners, assess their English language proficiency, provide reasonable accommodations, monitor their academic progress, and implement accountability systems.

To access the most recent state-level enrollment data on English learners, visit the Department's Report Portal and click the "Enrollment" tile on the left side of the screen.

English Learner Programs Enrollment Identification, Reclassification & Monitoring Students and Families Funding Advancing Ohio's
English Learners

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce convenes a collaborative group with a shared goal of improving educational programs for English learners. For more information, visit the Ohio English Learner Advisory Committee webpage.