Annual Report 2024: The Need for SEAL

In California, 2.3 million children—40% of our state’s public school enrollees—speak a language other than English in their homes (CDE). With over 200 languages and dialects represented, our state is one of the most linguistically diverse in the nation. (CA Census). 

While our policies embrace multilingualism today, the state once took a very different stance. In 1998, California voted to eliminate bilingual education with Proposition 227, mandating English Learners be taught exclusively in English.  It took nearly two decades to undo this harmful policy. In 2016, Proposition 58 overturned Prop 227 and on paper restored support for bilingual education across California. 

SEAL played a key role in this attitude shift. In 2008, Dr. Laurie Olsen and the Sobrato Philanthropies initiated an English Learner focused pilot program that integrated language development across all school subjects and affirmed home language development, working to build biliteracy wherever possible. The results were undeniable. By 2015, external evaluation by Dr. Lindholm-Leary found that SEAL produced statistically significant growth on all measures of language, literacy, mathematics, cognitive, and social development in both Spanish and in English. 

To leverage this impact and success, SEAL became an independent nonprofit. Now, as we celebrate SEAL’s five-year anniversary as an independent organization, SEAL stands at the forefront of educational transformation, leveraging evidence-based strategies that deliver real and lasting impact on students, families, and schools. Beyond the classroom, SEAL also shapes the field more broadly, influencing policy and practice at the state and national levels. 

However, the need for SEAL has never been greater. Multilingualism is in higher demand than ever and there are significant barriers to expanding bilingual education. More than half (53%) of California school districts report a shortage of bilingual teachers to fulfill their current needs, with 86% facing shortage for future multilingual education expansion plans (Californians Together). 

As we plan for the future of SEAL, we are committed to address these challenges. We are equipping our educators and schools with the tools to create joyful student-centered learning environments that foster academic excellence and affirm every students’ linguistic and cultural identity. Beyond classrooms, SEAL advances equity through research, advocacy and championing policies that support multilingual learners across California .

Despite favorable policies, many systems and leaders still lack capacity and expertise to implement equity focused, transformational learning experiences for ALL of California’s beautifully diverse children. The journey continues. There is still much work to be done. 

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