A policy regarding English learners could change in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — Kennedy Guan's oldest daughter Emily is a second grader at a Montgomery County public school.

It's the same school system where Guan learned English many years ago through ESOL or English Speakers of Other Languages.

"Chinese was my primary language that we spoke at home and I was put in the program to learn English through the school system," he said.

Right now, the MCPS Board of Education is seeking feedback about proposed amendments to the Education of English Language Learners policy.

"This is the policy previously known as ESOL, previously known as ELL," MCPS Board of Education President Karla Silvestre told 7News.

If the proposal is approved, English Language Learners would be known as Emergent Multilingual Learners.

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That population makes up more than 18-percent of MCPS students.

7News asked Silvestre why the policy change is being proposed now.

"The kids are learning multiple languages and so we wanted our policy to reflect an asset-based approach rather than a deficit. Like, 'Oh, they don't know English.' No. They're multilingual learners," she said

"It gives more emphasis to the second language as the native language. It gives more emphasis to like, 'Hey look, this is an asset to know a second language versus a disadvantage," Guan stated.

He and his wife Julie are currently teaching their children multiple languages.

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Emily is enrolled in classes to learn her mother's native language, Korean, and is also exposed to Chinese at home.

"Because English is her native language, I feel like if she doesn't pick up my native language, I'm afraid it's going to get lost," Guan said.

Members of the community can share their opinions online until May 6th.

The Board will review that feedback at a May 16th meeting.