This past October, the United States marked the arrival of its 300 millionth citizen with fanfare. Our nation is fortunate to have a young and vibrant demographic that will allow us to keep our competitive edge and compete in the global economy. But our country's potential will be lost if we don't provide our youngest citizens with the foundations they need to meet their individual potential. Many of these young people are immigrants or children of immigrants. They are helping to redefine and enrich our country. But we must take significant new steps to ensure their educational success so they can become part of our civic fabric and make our nation stronger.
Citation: Henriquez, Andres. Principals Can Help Improve Literacy for English Learners. NewsLeader (newsletter of the National Association of Secondary School Principals) December 2006.