supportive school systems for newcomer immigrant youth
guidance for educators
growing numbers of newcomer youth—immigrant children who have recently arrived in the country—are enrolling in schools across the united states. these students are diverse in socioeconomic and legal status and may include refugees, asylees or asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and undocumented youth. they may or may not be classified as english learners and need additional language instruction support.
newcomer youth bring a variety of assets to the school setting. educators can honor these strengths, as well as the students’ autonomy and family-based decision making, by fostering equitable and collaborative relationships. this brief provides strategies for making systems-level changes to promote learning and well-being among newcomer immigrant youth.