Illinois school districts adjust as minority student population surges

Illinois public schools are almost “majority minority,” a shift in demographics that is prompting suburban districts that once were predominantly white to change their curriculum and culture.

The newly released 2013 Illinois School Report Card shows total minority enrollment at 49.4 percent, just less than a percentage point than white students. The data shows the public schools have seen a surge in Latinos, a gain attributed to high birth rates and immigration, and a bump in Asians. Meanwhile, the share of blacks and white students has declined over the last 15 years.

Across the Chicago area, more schools are hiring bilingual teachers, sending newsletters home in different languages and celebrating diversity to accommodate the spike in minorities. But many are still trying to understand the needs of their newest population, especially English language learners, experts said.

via Illinois school districts adjust as minority student population surges – chicagotribune.com.