DOTHAN, Ala. — Dothan City Schools (DCS) continues to face challenges in improving English language proficiency, despite a modest improvement over the past three years. Recent data from the Alabama State Report Card reveals that DCS scored just under 45% in progress for English language proficiency during the 2023-24 school year.
While the score remains low, it marks an 8% increase from the 2020-21 school year when DCS scored 37%. Despite the gain, the district still lags behind the state average of 41.39% for English language proficiency, which underscores the ongoing struggle for schools in the Wiregrass region.
Among local school systems, Dothan City Schools ranked second in terms of progress, trailing only behind Geneva County Schools, which recorded a score of 59.46%. Other Wiregrass-area districts saw varying results, with Dale County Schools scoring the lowest at 31.58%, followed by Enterprise City Schools at 42%.
Dothan’s ranking and improvement are indicative of the district’s continued efforts to address language barriers for English learners. However, the data suggests there is still significant work to be done to ensure that students reach full proficiency.
The report highlights a broader issue facing schools in the region, with many districts continuing to struggle to provide adequate support for English language learners. As educational leaders in the Wiregrass work to improve these outcomes, the focus will likely remain on refining strategies that can help students become more proficient in English, ultimately closing the achievement gap and meeting state benchmarks.
While Dothan City Schools’ 8% increase is a step in the right direction, educational stakeholders will need to continue pushing for improvements in teaching practices, resources, and support systems to elevate language proficiency across the district.
