English Language Learners Fuel Robust Market Growth

The U.S. Department of Education estimates that more than 5.5 million students qualified as English Language Learners (ELL) during the 2004-05 school year. Growth in the ELL population has doubled in just over ten years and is expected to represent up to 25% of the total U.S. K-12 student population by 2015. The accountability provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act and its requirement for rapid transitioning of ELL students to mainstream classrooms have increased demand for supporting instructional materials, which vary by state, district, and school. Over $400 million was spent in 2004 on this fast-growing market segment, which is expected to increase to over $600 million by 2008.