Mission: The Center for Equity for English Learners (CEEL) ensures equity and excellence in English Learner and Multilingual education by transforming educational systems and practices as leaders who collaborate in research, professional learning, and policy to positively impact generations of students and communities.
Vision: English Learner and Multilingual education is research- and evidence-based and fully integrated into the U.S. education system. Language, literacy, and all content instruction for English Learner and Multilingual students is assets-based, equitable, and just. English Learner and Multilingual students and their families are valued and engaged as partners in the education process.
Strategic Plan: Following a comprehensive and inclusive process that engaged CEEL’s many stakeholders, the team created a five-year plan that charts a course through 2028. The plan builds on CEEL’s more than 16 years of steady growth and innovation and positions it for a future of growth and increased impact, as well as heightened visibility as a critical partner in English Learner and Multilingual Student education.
Building the California Bilingual Teacher Project
Building the California Bilingual Teacher Project
Bringing coherence to multilingual educator research, policy, and practice.
CEEL is launching the California Bilingual Teacher Project (CBTP), a statewide initiative designed to strengthen California’s bilingual teacher workforce by connecting, aligning, and amplifying the important work underway across the state.
CBTP will advance a more coherent statewide approach by strengthening policy coordination, sharing and translating research, and supporting the development of data infrastructure to better understand and strengthen bilingual teacher pathways and outcomes.
Ultimately, the project seeks to bridge research, policy, and practice so that California can more effectively recruit, prepare, support, and retain the bilingual educators needed to serve its multilingual students and communities.
More information coming soon!
Affirming Our Shared Humanity: Our Commitment to Immigrant Children and Families
At the Center for Equity for English Learners our foundational commitment is to foster equitable and empowering educational environments for all children, especially those in our vibrant immigrant communities, whose families and children enrich the cultural, linguistic, and intellectual tapestry of our schools, city, state, and nation. We are deeply troubled by the widespread anxiety, disruption, and significant distress that recent federal actions are creating in the neighborhoods where our students live and learn. These actions are eroding the vital trust essential for welcoming schools and undermining the fundamental sense of belonging every child deserves. We stand resolute in advocating for policies that affirm the human dignity and federally protected educational rights of all individuals, and we will actively champion the creation of school environments that are unequivocally safe, inclusive, and free from intimidation for every student and family, regardless of immigration status.
As educators and researchers dedicated to social justice, we reject the false narratives that criminalize immigrant families and will continue to leverage our expertise to stand in solidarity as we actively counter false narratives and highlight the invaluable contributions of these communities. We commit to working collaboratively with school leaders, community organizations, and families to develop and disseminate resources to strengthen support systems for immigrant students, ensuring their access to high-quality education remains unhindered and their potential fully realized.
We offer a curated list of resources and agencies to guide policy, advocacy, instruction, and research responsive to newcomer and immigrant students, families, and communities, which can be found on our website.
CC Network Content Center on English Language Proficiency (CELP)
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The Center on English Learner Proficiency (ELP) is a national content center dedicated to improving educational outcomes and advancing English language proficiency for English Learners. Through research-based resources, technical assistance, and asset-based support, ELP collaborates with educators, schools, education agencies, professional organizations, and other partners to help ensure that all English Learners achieve English proficiency and thrive across academic subjects. CEEL is proud to be part of this meaningful work and to contribute to efforts that support and advances educational equity for English Learners nationwide.
Learn More About the Center on English Language Proficiency
Explore the Center's work, resources, and contributions to advancing English language proficiency and supporting English Learners nationwide.
CEEL Research - Annotated Bibliography
The Center for Equity for English Learners announces the launch of our new Annotated Bibliographies webpage, featuring a series of recent topic-specific, Selected Annotated Bibliographies that include seminal and current references. Building on the topics and annotations from the previous edition, Ensuring Equity and Excellence for English learners: An Annotated Bibliography for Research, Policy, and Practice (CEEL, 2022), this webpage provides a comprehensive selection of works focused on theory, research, and practice. The annotations are the result of purposeful searches of topics relevant to English Learner education, policy, and research across empirical and theoretical peer-reviewed journals, books, book chapters, and reports from leading scholars in the field. These annotated bibliographies serve as a resource for researchers, policymakers, educators, and advocates working to advance equity and excellence for English Learners.
Please see our Annotated Bibliographies page to explore the recent Selected Annotated Bibliographies and the preceding Ensuring Equity and Excellence for English Learners: An Annotated Bibliography for Research, Policy, and Practice (CEEL, 2022).
CEEL Publications - English Learner Master Plan Playbook
The Center for Equity for English Learners is proud to announce the publication of our ENGLISH LEARNER MASTER PLAN PLAYBOOK: Developing Equitable Local Education Policies for Multilingual and English Learner Students. The playbook provides tools for educators, families, and community members to engage in policy dialogues and development processes to support the creation of a local policy document - the English Learner Master Plan.
CEEL offers interactive sessions and technical assistance to help LEA teams create a plan to develop a district-wide English Learner Master Plan that is aligned to the research-based CA English Learner Roadmap policy and focuses on visionary policies, programs, and services that ensure equitable opportunities and outcomes for English Learners. Participants engage with the resources included in the CEEL EL Master Plan Playbook to develop a strategy for beginning or refining their approach to writing components of their EL Master Plan.
Please visit our English Learner Master Plan page for more information.
CEEL Highlights
- Current CEEL Highlights
- Previously Featured Highlights
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34th Annual Jornada Pedagógica
We’re excited to announce the 34th Jornada Pedagógica Internacional para la Educación Plurilingüe on February 6, 2027. Save the date and stay tuned for more details! Learn more about the conference.Superdiverse Adolescent Multilingual Learners Resource Guide
CEEL's Resource Guide on Superdiverse Adolescent Multilingual Learners highlights the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and voices of 26 adolescent multilingual learners and provides research-based tools and strategies to support more equitable and culturally and linguistically sustaining education.Newcomer Support Resources
In response to recent federal policy shifts and the growing needs of our multilingual and immigrant communities, CEEL has launched a dedicated Newcomer Support Resources page. Grounded in our commitment to equity and asset-based education, this curated collection offers tools, research, and guidance for policy, advocacy, instruction, and support for newcomer and immigrant students, families, and communities.2023-2028: CEEL Long Term Strategies
Following a comprehensive and inclusive process that engaged CEEL’s many stakeholders, the team created a five-year plan that charts a course through 2028. The plan builds on CEEL’s more than 16 years of steady growth and innovation and positions it for a future of growth and increased impact, as well as heightened visibility as a critical partner in English Learner and Multilingual Student education. It also is closely aligned with the strategic goals of Loyola Marymount’s School of Education and positions CEEL to continue to build on its successful partnership with its parent organization. Please view our full Strategic Plan for insights into the future of CEEL.CEEL Resources Extend Beyond the Bluff
The Center for Equity for English Learners has served as a dynamic catalyst for high-quality, research-based resources that inform global, national, and local contexts, garnering an impressive 689 downloads across 51 countries on the CEEL Digital Commons Platform over the last 90 days alone!CEEL Leads Cutting-Edge Systemic Reform
The Center for Equity for English Learners collaborates with state, county, and local partners to provide resources, best practices, and guided support for educators and administrators as they implement the California English Learner Roadmap Policy. CEEL's EL Master Plan Playbook guides educators in the engagement of policy dialogues and development processes to support the creation of a local policy document - the English Learner Master Plan.CEEL Continues to Lead with the HQIM-LPC to transform Mathematics Instruction in California.
CEEL, alongside the High-Quality Instructional Materials Learning Partners Coalition (HQIM-LPC), is advancing high-quality math instruction across California. The coalition unites educators, advocates, and practitioners committed to equity, professional learning, and ensuring all students have access to excellent mathematics instruction. See our newly released HQIM-LPC At-a-Glance Infographic to learn more. 33rd Annual Jornada Pedagógica
This year’s conference was a tremendous success with 177 attendees and expanded workshop presentations focused on: Interdisciplinary Instruction in Dual Language Classrooms, Family and Community Engagement, and Spanish Literacy Development. Centered on the theme Lengua, Poder y Práctica, our two keynote speakers explored issues of equity, Spanish-language literacy instruction, the role of high-quality Spanish materials, and the history and ongoing impact of linguistic intolerance. Learn more!CEEL Education and Policy Brief 15
CEEL’s latest Education and Policy Brief examines how educator preparation programs in institutions of higher education can better align with TK–12 policies and practices to meet the needs of California’s increasingly superdiverse student population. Read more about Supporting Superdiverse Youth Through Research, Policy and Practice or explore our other available Policy Briefs.2025 Family Insights Poll
In collaboration with GPSN, we are pleased to share findings from the fourth annual Family Insights poll. This report captures how families within the Los Angeles Unified School District boundaries view their schools and what they hope to see improved. It offers valuable insights into how families feel about the district, what matters most to them, the changes they want to see, and their top concerns—including digital access, economic stability, and school safety. Amid recent challenges, families remain deeply committed to equity, opportunity, and a brighter future for all students.National Professional Development Grant
CEEL is proud to be in partnership with L.A. Unified School District and SEAL on the Prevent Long-Term English Learner Status Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Dedicated 4th and 5th-grade teachers, alongside district and site leaders from 15 Project PEARLL-SEAL schools participate in this project.
CEEL Featured Programs
CEEL Research
CEEL engages in top-of-the-line research projects to inform key decisions and policy making.
Dialogic Reading
Collaborate with teachers, students, and families to create meaningful STEAM language and literacy development opportunities for Dual Language Learners!
EL Master Plan
CEEL helps LEA teams create a plan to develop a district-wide English Learner Master Plan that is aligned with the research-based CA English Learner Roadmap policy.
Featured Speakers
The Center for Equity for English Learners regularly hosts events where visiting scholars can present on a variety of topics to LMU's educational community.
Journalism for English Learners
Introduces teams dealing with Grades 3-5 to a project-based journalism curriculum specially designed for students at risk of becoming Long Term English Learners.
OPAL Institute
The OPAL is a research-based and validated classroom observation tool designed specifically to support teachers of English Learners.