New report showcases successful programs driving stronger literacy outcomes and calls on state leaders to scale evidence-based solutions statewide 

NEW YORK, NY — EdTrust-New York today released “Scaling What Works in Multilingual Literacy,” a new report that highlights proven strategies to improve literacy outcomes for multilingual learners and calls on New York policymakers to scale evidence-based practices that help more students become confident readers and writers. 

The report, the second in EdTrust-New York’s new series on multilingual learners, identifies policy actions that can strengthen literacy systems across New York. It highlights successful initiatives from districts and communities throughout the state that show how strong leadership, high-quality instructional materials, strategic investments, and aligned professional learning can help multilingual learners succeed. 

While educators increasingly recognize multilingualism as an asset, New York has not yet built the systems, educator capacity, and policy infrastructure needed to ensure multilingual learners thrive. Literacy outcomes remain alarmingly low: only 3% of fourth-grade multilingual learners reached proficiency in reading on the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress, and only 5% of eighth-grade multilingual learners scored proficient on the 2025 New York State English Language Arts Assessment. 

“Across New York, educators are demonstrating that multilingual learners can achieve strong literacy outcomes when schools provide the right instruction, leadership, and support,” said Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, executive director at EdTrust-New York. “State leaders now have an opportunity, and a responsibility, to build on these successes and ensure every multilingual learner benefits from the evidence-based practices showcased in this report.” 

EdTrust-New York’s report highlights initiatives that: 

• Prepare school and district leaders to advance multilingual literacy. 
• Integrate language development into literacy instruction. 
• Equip content-area teachers across grade levels and subjects to support multilingual learners’ language and literacy development. 
• Expand access to high-quality bilingual instructional materials in English and students’ home languages. 
• Align district systems around multilingual learner success through coordinated leadership, curriculum, assessment, professional learning, and instructional support. 
• Accelerate literacy growth for newcomer students, Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE), and long-term English Language Learners. 

To expand these proven strategies statewide, EdTrust-New York urges state and district leaders to:  

• Align literacy initiatives with research-based practices that support multilingual learners, including applying the science of reading to students learning to read in more than one language. 
• Build coherent literacy systems that bring leaders, teachers, and support staff together to address multilingual learners’ language and literacy needs across grade levels and content areas. 
• Invest in educator preparation and ongoing professional learning that equips all K-12 teachers with evidence-based practices that integrate language and content learning, including bilingual language and literacy development. 
• Expand access to high-quality instructional materials and specialized resources that support multilingual learners, including newcomers, SIFE, and long-term English Language Learners. 
• Center multilingual learners in every literacy initiative to strengthen outcomes for all students. 

New York leaders can improve literacy outcomes for multilingual learners by scaling proven practices, investing in educator capacity, and building systems that recognize multilingualism as a strength. State and district leaders can strengthen literacy instruction by aligning policies, resources, and professional learning around multilingual learners’ needs, helping more students develop the literacy skills and confidence they need to thrive in school and beyond. 

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About EdTrust-New York 

EdTrust-New York is dedicated to eliminating equity and opportunity gaps that hinder students from reaching their full potential. We focus on ensuring that students of color, including Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander students, and those from low-income backgrounds achieve high levels of success from early childhood through college. For more information, visit EdTrustNY.org.