The Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) Board meeting on January 14, 2025, highlighted significant initiatives aimed at supporting refugee and English language learners (ELL) within the district. Superintendent Caius introduced Christina Boston, the Director of Multicultural and Multilingual Education, who presented an overview of the district's English Language Development (ELD) program.

Boston reported that TUHSD serves a diverse student body of 14,038, with approximately 10% identified as English learners. Among these, 1,482 students are enrolled in the ELD program, including 47 students classified as refugees. The majority of these refugee students are concentrated at Sierra Linda High School, indicating a need for targeted support.

The district collaborates with the International Rescue Committee to provide essential resources for refugee and ELL students, including free meals, school supplies, and access to counseling services. Additionally, the district ensures that students experiencing homelessness are enrolled promptly under the McKinney-Vento Act, which helps maintain educational stability.

Boston emphasized the importance of technology in supporting ELL students, mentioning tools like live captions and immersive readers that enhance comprehension and engagement. The district also offers after-school tutoring and professional development for teachers to ensure they are equipped to meet the needs of multilingual learners.

The meeting underscored the district's commitment to improving graduation rates for ELL students, which currently stand at 84.77%, slightly below the overall district rate of 86.8%. The dropout rate for ELL students is notably low at less than 2%, reflecting the effectiveness of the district's support strategies.

In conclusion, the TUHSD Board meeting showcased a comprehensive approach to addressing the academic and social needs of refugee and ELL students, highlighting ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and supportive educational environment. The district plans to continue its collaborative work with various stakeholders to enhance the success of these students.