ELKHART — For a large group of students in area schools, English Language Learning classes are the key to success.
But funding for the program varies and Elkhart Community Schools is finding itself at a disadvantage, according to school officials.
With over 23 percent of the city's population Hispanic, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, ELL classes are a vital resource for students who may not have a good grasp on English. The classes work with kids to improve their ability to read and speak in English.
"We have an obligation to educate someone whether they know English or not," said Elkhart Community Schools Superintendent Robert Haworth. "For a student who doesn't know English it can be easy to fall behind because everything is in English."
While the need for these types of classes is growing, the funding provided from the state has not kept up, according to Haworth. Currently, a district has to have at least 25 percent of its population qualify as ELL students to qualify for extra funding that would help support ELL classes. Elkhart is two percentage points short.
The Indiana Department of Education shows only 12.8 percent of Elkhart students are labeled as ELL students, although Elkhart serves more ELL students than Goshen. Goshen serves over 1,300 ELL students, while Elkhart has over 1,600.