Emergent bilingual (EB) students are those whose home language is not English. This term replaced the term English learner in the Texas Education Code, Chapter 29, Subchapter B update in September 2021.
EB students make up almost a quarter of the Texas student population. They receive additional instruction and services to help them achieve the English language skills necessary to receive English-only instruction, a process called reclassification. Many EB students reclassify in a timely manner and go on to achieve academic success; however, some remain EBs for several years despite involvement in programs aimed at improving their English-language skills. Students who do not reclassify before middle school are at risk for multiple negative educational outcomes, including lower scores on state and national tests, greater risk of dropping out of high school and a lower likelihood of attending college.