From the brief: "EL students are a rapidly growing and diverse population entitled to English language development instruction that will allow meaningful access to academic content. Complex federal laws govern the education of EL students and continue to hold state and local education agencies accountable for their academic performance even during the pandemic. Concrete steps to embrace the cultural and linguistic assets of EL students, families, and communities can lead to higher levels of trust and engagement among all stakeholders and improve students’ academic identity and achievement."