English Language Acquisition Feasibility Study

English language learners often need additional support to read at grade level by the third grade—a milestone predictive of future educational and occupational success. Yet schools and communities often do not have the resources to provide those supports.

AIR is conducting the feasibility phase of a Pay for Success (PFS) project for the U.S. Department of Education to improve English language acquisition for Spanish-speaking children in pre-K through third grade.

A rapid evidence assessment of the research literature will identify effective interventions, and two districts will be invited to participate in the PFS feasibility study, based on their prior use of these approaches. The feasibility study will examine their capacity and suitability for using a PFS funding strategy to support the selected programs. AIR is conducting the feasibility study and Manhattan Strategy Group is the independent evaluator.