According to the U.S. Department of Education, 4.85 million English language learners, or
ELLs, were enrolled in public schools during the 2012 - 13 academic year, representing nearly 10 percent of the total K - 12 student population.17 Nearly one student in four speaks a language other than English at home — the same is true for only about one in eight teachers.18
Teaching also remains a female - dominated
profession.