LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The number of public K-12 students who struggle speaking English to the point it obstructs their education has increased by 50% over the past 18 years in Michigan’s public schools.

The number of “English Learners” in Michigan’s K-12 schools has grown from 69,705 in 2006-07 to 104,213 in 2024-25. That’s according to the most recent data released by the state of Michigan.

MORE NEWS: Florida Commit Yost Selected as Tigers’ MLB First Round Pick

Michigan’s K-12 public schools received $10.3 million in 2024-25 to help students learn English as a second language, some of whom are immigrants.

These are students whose understanding of the English language presents a barrier to their education.

Dearborn and Hamtramck, which have a substantial Muslim population, have seen a dramatic increase in English learners.

The number of English learners at Dearborn Public Schools has jumped from 6,723 in 2006-07 to 8,587 in 2024-25. Dearborn has 19,278 students in 2023-24.

Hamtramck’s English learners enrollment has increased from 687 in 2006-07 to 1,847 in 2024-25. Hamtramck has 2,862 students in 2024-25.

Many other schools have seen moderate increases since 2006-07, which is far back as state data goes online.

MORE NEWS: AG Dana Nessel Urges Congress to Rein in ICE Practices

Lansing School District’s English learner enrollment jumped from 1,057 to 1,676 over that 18-year period. Kalamazoo’s English learners enrollment increased from 1,063 to 1,461 over that same time period.