Public school instruction to children who are not native speakers of English is an increasing challenge in S.C. It is unclear how education outcomes, in terms of test scores, graduation rates and graduation to post secondary institutions, will be affected as these children come of age in the next few years.

There are currently 12,133 students receiving specialized English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction in S.C. public schools. The preponderance of these students is at the elementary and middle school levels. As these students matriculate to the secondary school level, increased instruction will be required in order to render them proficient in subject matter unique to the high school grades.

Among Spartanburg districts, the challenge is especially apparent in District 6. Among S.C. counties, Greenville faces the greatest challenge in terms of numbers of ESL students.