Spotlighting Newcomer Youth in the New Year: Who are New York’s Newcomers and How are Schools Meeting Their Needs?
The U.S. Department of Education defines newcomers simply as “any foreign-born students and their families who have recently arrived in the United States.” This definition acknowledges not only the vast cultural and linguistic diversity of newcomers but also recognizes that newcomers may arrive to the U.S. as refugees, immigrants, or as asylum seekers. As one of the most diverse states in the country, it may be unsurprising that over 100,000 new arrivals, mostly from Latin America, made their way to New York in 2023 alone.
Schools play a crucial role in the lives of newcomers as they provide them with formal education as well as opportunities to learn about life in the U.S. Students, teachers, and families also benefit greatly from newcomer students who contribute to the diversity of the school and surrounding community.
Newcomer Youth Challenges
Newcomer youth may face many challenges as they adapt to a new language, culture, and society. Some of these difficulties include:
- Adjusting to a new culture, language and school system: Adapting to new customs and facing discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or religion are major stressors for newcomers. For many young people, this struggle is heightened as they balance the expectations of their home culture with those of their new environment, often leading to identity conflicts. Transitioning to a new educational system while learning a new language presents significant challenges, especially for students who may have experienced periods of interrupted schooling.
- Economic hardships and lack of support: Newcomer families often struggle with financial difficulties which forces youth to balance work and education. The loss of established social networks and being the only representative of their culture in some communities can further increase their sense of vulnerability and disconnection.
- Family involvement in schools. Communication gaps affect newcomer family engagement. Parents’ and caregivers’ educational background and school experiences also can shape their capacity to support their children’s schooling in ways expected by educators in U.S. school contexts.
Overcoming Newcomer Challenges and Building on NYKids Research
Research has shown that educators can help overcome the challenges that newcomers face in school through a range of practices, programs, and innovations. Ensuring that newcomers and their families are welcomed and included in the school culture and community – and providing targeted instructional programs and practices are key to ensuring that newcomers’ unique needs are met and they are able to contribute to their school and broader communities.
As part of our focus on closing opportunity gaps for youth of diverse backgrounds, NYKids has investigated issues related to the schooling of newcomers. For instance, in our 2016 study of Promising Practices for English Language Learners, we found that a welcoming school climate, staff members skilled and committed to culturally responsive and sustaining education (CRSE) practices, and a holistic approach to serving newcomers resulted in better outcomes for newcomer students.
Additional findings related to newcomers were revealed in our 2018 study of College and Career Readiness. For example, we found that positive outlier school, Port Chester Senior High School, fostered success with their newcomers using two important strategies (among others):
- promoting high expectations for newcomers, including their inclusion in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate classes
- emphasizing culturally and linguistically responsive staffing such as the hiring of bilingual teachers and administrators to welcome newcomer students and their families
In our most recent study of Emergent and Persistent Positive Outlier Schools, we noted that Malverne Senior High School ensured their growing newcomer population was supported through inclusive school practices driven by administrators and teachers with training in CRSE and the use of culturally relevant curriculum and programs.
In the new year, we extend our welcome to all newcomer youth and families and send our sincere appreciation to all the NYS educators who welcome newcomers to our school and broader community.
As always, thank you for your interest in NYKids and we look forward to informing, inspiring, and improving at the service of all NYS youth and families in 2025!
