Hispanic Student Population Grows in Mid-Missouri

Missouri has a growing number of Hispanic students and is using new tests to help the kids and also help the schools do a better job teaching them. Very interesting. - - Donna Poisl

COLUMBIA - English-language classes aim to teach the growing number of Hispanic students in mid-Missouri about the language and adjusting to life in the U.S.

The state requires children of immigrants at all school levels to take core content classes and separate English Language Learners classes to learn English and get help with other homework.

"It's a hard process," said Jenifer Albright-Borts, an ELL coordinator in Columbia.

In the 2004-2005 school year, Columbia Public Schools had 468 ELL students. This school year the district has 710 ELL students. Hispanics make up 27.4 percent of the total.
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