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Area schools witness large increases in number of ESOL-student enrollment
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Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria public school officials have reported increased enrollment in their English to Speakers of Other Languages programs, while Prince William County announced an unprecedented drop of 630 students, or nearly 5 percent. – AP Three Northern Virginia school systems have noticed an unexpected influx of English-language learners coming from nearby Prince William County since the suburban jurisdiction launched its crackdown on illegal immigration. Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria public school officials have reported increased enrollment in their English to Speakers of Other Languages programs, while Prince William County announced an unprecedented drop of 630 students, or nearly 5 percent. Both illegal-immigration critics and immigrant advocates say the new policy directing officers to check the residency status of traffic violators and misdemeanor offenders has driven people from the community, but it remains unclear exactly where the hundreds of missing students went. The ESOL population in Arlington County rose 115 this year, including 56 students directly from Prince William Public Schools, schools spokesman Frank Bellavia said. Neighboring Alexandria typically experiences a midyear drop in its ESOL population, but instead has seen a midyear increase of 92 ESOL students, at least some of who are arrivals from Prince William County, school spokeswoman Amy Carlini said. Anecdotal reports and some data from Fairfax County show there has been an increase of about 200 students, according to Fairfax spokesman Paul Regnier and ESOL Coordinator Teddi Predaris. “We have experienced more students coming in from Prince William County than in previous years,” Predaris said, citing Parklawn Elementary School as an example. However, while the Fairfax County ESOL population increased about 500 students before the school year began, its population actually dropped 100 students from September to January. Loudoun County and Stafford County reported flat ESOL populations, and Fauquier County traced eight new ESOL students from Prince William County this year, including two in March as the crackdown began. The Prince William County school system does not track where its students go, spokesman Ken Blackstone said. “I think it’s pretty clear, given that our ESOL population decreased so significantly,” Prince William County Chairman Corey Stewart said, “it’s a fair assumption to make that this is a result of the illegal-immigration policy.” Immigrant activist Aracaely Panameno agreed that some immigrants, legal and illegal, are leaving Prince William County. “People are going to counties where there is more receptivity and where people are more welcoming and there is a commitment not to persecute immigrants,” Panameno said. “Fairfax, Arlington and Maryland, that’s where people are going.” dgenz@dcexaminer.com |
