Interpreting the early language trajectories of children from low-SES and language minority homes: Implications for closing achievement gaps.

On average, children from low socioeconomic status (SES) homes and children from homes in which a language other than English is spoken have language development trajectories that are different from those of children from middle-class, monolingual English-speaking homes. Children from low-SES and language minority homes have unique linguistic strengths, but many reach school age with lower levels of English language skill than do middle-class, monolingual children. Because early differences in English oral language skill have consequences for academic achievement, low levels of English language skill constitute a deficit for children about to enter school in the United States. Declaring all developmental…

• EK
  Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

  Award: HD068421