Over the last year, the school has seen more ESL students but lacks resources. What is the most appropriate action for the social worker?

• A. Tell the students' parents to attend a school board meeting and demand more funding for ESL students
• B. Transfer some of the students to a nearby district that has more resources for ESL students
• C. Refer the students' parents to free local program that teaches English to immigrants
• D. Identify and apply for state and federal funding that would pay for ESL resources and professional development for teachers

Answer: (D)

Securing funding to provide ESL resources and staff development is the best way to support a growing ESL student population. When a school identifies a rising need, tapping into state and federal funding that specifically supports English language acquisition and teacher training creates sustainable, in-school capacity—resources for ESL teachers, translators, instructional materials, assessment tools, and professional development that improves classroom instruction for all students. This approach addresses structural needs rather than placing the burden on families or moving students elsewhere. It also aligns with the social worker’s role in advocating for equitable services and collaborating with district leadership to strengthen supports for multilingual learners.

Telling families to lobby for funds can be helpful for engagement, but it relies on political processes and may not yield timely, equitable resources. Transferring students to another district avoids solving the resource gap in the current school and can disrupt students’ learning and support networks. Referring families to free local English programs helps individual families but does not expand the school’s capacity to meet students’ academic and developmental needs.