How does the percentage of U.S. born English learners change from prekindergarten to higher grades?

The correct answer is that the percentage of U.S. born English learners decreases from prekindergarten to higher grades. This trend can be attributed to several factors. In early childhood education settings, there is often a higher proportion of younger children who are English learners, many of whom come from homes where another language is primarily spoken. As students progress through the grades, especially into elementary and then middle and high school, the percentage of English learners decreases because a significant number of these students become proficient in English as a result of immersion in a predominantly English-speaking school environment. Additionally, interventions and educational strategies often aim to support these learners in achieving fluency, which contributes to a reduction in their overall percentage in higher grades.

While some contexts might suggest fluctuations in specific local populations, the overarching trend at a national level indicates a decrease in the percentage of U.S. born English learners in the higher grades compared to the early years.