Welcoming immigrant students with a high-quality education

How immigrants are received in the United States — through economic opportunities, societal attitudes, government policies — shape how immigrants fare in this country (Portes & Rumbaut, 2008).

Schools play a crucial role in helping children and youth from immigrant backgrounds adapt to a new country and prepare them for future opportunities and identities. All educators need opportunities to reflect on what high-quality education for immigrant youth looks like and what it takes to provide one.

The Internationals Network for Public Schools (INPS) has a reputation for engaging in culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy with immigrant youth. The 19 schools in the international school network serve the unique academic and emotional needs of recently arrived immigrant youth who are English language learners. INPS schools are in New York, California, and the Washington, D.C., area. Students in the network come from over 100 countries, speak over 90 languages, have diverse educational backgrounds, and about 90% are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.