English language learners in Iowa

Ed Week reports that the cost of providing appropriate language services for English learners in many of Iowa's schools is rising. "According to an analysis by the newspaper, 82 districts last year needed extra money, up from 68 districts five years ago. Districts collected $11.8 million in property taxes in fiscal 2011 for English Language Learner programs. That compares to $6.1 million five years ago." Then comes the inevitable comparison of reading scores across different cohorts of kids that is somehow yoked to the increase in spending. "The percentage of Davenport ELL fourth-graders able to read at grade level fell from 71 percent in 2007 to about 62 percent in 2011. Reading proficiency among Des Moines' ELL fourth-graders increased from 45 percent to 51 percent."