Supporting Multilingual Learners 101 Opportunity 2

From the 2017-18 to the 2023-24 school year, the percentage of multilingual learners (MLs) in the Biddeford School Department nearly doubled, rising from 8.5% to 16.5% of enrolled students. With approximately 400 MLs last year, the district reported employing six multilingual teachers for the 2025-26 school year—resulting in an estimated caseload of 66 students per ML teacher, assuming enrollment remained stagnant.

Despite this growing population, most educators have not received formal training in supporting multilingual learners, as such coursework is not yet required in educator preparation programs. Understanding the diversity of MLs is essential for fostering equitable, effective, and culturally responsive teaching practices. By doing so, educators can better support these students while enriching the overall learning environment.

This introductory session will help participants:

• Understand who multilingual learners are and their legal rights
• Learn how to collaborate effectively with multilingual support staff in their district
• Develop culturally responsive teaching practices

This session is designed for all educators working with multilingual students. A follow-up session will focus on instructional strategies.