KDE's School Counselor Advisory Council Discusses Efforts to Help Multilingual Learners

Council members share initiatives to support English learners and multilingual students in Kentucky schools.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Members of the Kentucky Department of Education's (KDE) School Counselor Advisory Council discussed ways their schools are helping multilingual learners during a recent meeting. Will Spalding, a multilingual learner specialist at KDE, shared data on the growing number of English learners and multilingual students in Kentucky schools. Council members described programs at their schools, such as welcome videos in multiple languages and student-led tours, to support new multilingual students and families.

Why it matters

As Kentucky's student population becomes increasingly diverse, with over 84,000 multilingual learners representing nearly 13% of total enrollment, school counselors play a vital role in helping these students integrate into the school community and prepare for future success. The initiatives discussed by the advisory council demonstrate how schools are working to create welcoming environments and provide resources to support the unique needs of multilingual students.

The details

During the February 11 meeting, Will Spalding, a multilingual learner specialist in KDE's Office of Teaching and Learning, shared that English learners (ELs) in Kentucky reached a record 54,252 students across more than 1,000 schools in 147 districts during the 2024-2025 school year. Multilingual learners, which include current ELs, students not qualifying for EL services, and those who have achieved English proficiency, make up nearly 13% of the state's total K-12 enrollment. Spanish is the primary native language for most multilingual learners, but a wide variety of home countries and languages are represented, including Swahili, Arabic, Kinyarwanda, Nepali, and French.

  • The School Counselor Advisory Council meeting took place on February 11, 2026.
  • During the 2024-2025 school year, Kentucky served a record 54,252 English learners across more than 1,000 schools in 147 districts.

The players

Will Spalding

Multilingual learner specialist in the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Teaching and Learning.

Paula Moore

School counselor at Bowen Elementary School in Jefferson County, Kentucky.

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What they’re saying

“I want to say thank you for helping our students feel seen and valued and welcomed in schools. You're building connections and getting to know students and understanding their family backgrounds and the dynamics and struggles that many have.”

— Will Spalding, Multilingual learner specialist (kentuckyteacher.org)

“It's hard enough being a new student at a new school and then throw a language barrier on top of that. I say there might be a language barrier, but that doesn't mean that there's a communication barrier. We can communicate with all students and so that smile and that welcoming body language and presence is so important.”

— Will Spalding, Multilingual learner specialist (kentuckyteacher.org)

“The students did a really great job. They interviewed different staff members and then they helped translate it, so that's been really powerful.”

— Paula Moore, School counselor (kentuckyteacher.org)

What’s next

The School Counselor Advisory Council plans to continue discussing strategies and best practices to support multilingual learners in Kentucky schools.

The takeaway

As Kentucky's student population becomes increasingly diverse, with nearly 13% of students identified as multilingual learners, school counselors are playing a vital role in creating welcoming environments and connecting these students with the resources and support they need to succeed. The initiatives shared by the advisory council demonstrate how schools can leverage student leadership, translation services, and community partnerships to help multilingual students and families feel valued and integrated into the school community.