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English Language Learners of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: A Needs Assessment of the Immigrant and Refugee Population of the Greater Pittsburgh Area
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Keywords
Refugees--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh Region--Education; Immigrants--Pennsylvania--Pittsburgh Region--Education; English language--Study and teaching--Foreign speakers;
Abstract
As with the rest of the country, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has seen a recent increase in the number of migrant, refugee and immigrants residents. According to the Allegheny Department of Human Services, that while the proportion of foreign-born residents to the total population in 2011 (4.7 percent) still remains well below the national average (12.8 percent), it has risen significantly since the 2000 U.S. Census when it was only 3.8 percent. The trend will only increase as more of the world’s population continues to migrate as they become displaced from their homes due to violence, poverty or lack of jobs. The trend of increased refugee resettlement in Pittsburgh is predicted to continue, as refugee resettlement agencies in the area anticipate receiving more people in the near future. This paper will present a needs analysis for immigrant services in the city of Pittsburgh and the greater Allegheny County, Pennsylvania based upon information that is presented by Department of Human Services and the local school systems. As with all cities in the United States, Pittsburgh needs to provide adequate services to the unique needs of these new residents. This paper will identify areas for improvement and make suggestions as to how to best help the city and county integrate, educate, and serve these new residents, their families and children. These ideas can benefit other communities throughout the country with similar demography.
Start Date
3-4-2019 1:00 PM
End Date
3-4-2019 4:00 PM
Faculty Advisor
Dr. Joyce Milambiling
Department
Department of Languages and Literatures
Copyright
©2019 Sarah Kilwein
File Format
application/pdf
Embargo Date
4-17-2019
English Language Learners of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: A Needs Assessment of the Immigrant and Refugee Population of the Greater Pittsburgh Area
As with the rest of the country, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania has seen a recent increase in the number of migrant, refugee and immigrants residents. According to the Allegheny Department of Human Services, that while the proportion of foreign-born residents to the total population in 2011 (4.7 percent) still remains well below the national average (12.8 percent), it has risen significantly since the 2000 U.S. Census when it was only 3.8 percent. The trend will only increase as more of the world’s population continues to migrate as they become displaced from their homes due to violence, poverty or lack of jobs. The trend of increased refugee resettlement in Pittsburgh is predicted to continue, as refugee resettlement agencies in the area anticipate receiving more people in the near future. This paper will present a needs analysis for immigrant services in the city of Pittsburgh and the greater Allegheny County, Pennsylvania based upon information that is presented by Department of Human Services and the local school systems. As with all cities in the United States, Pittsburgh needs to provide adequate services to the unique needs of these new residents. This paper will identify areas for improvement and make suggestions as to how to best help the city and county integrate, educate, and serve these new residents, their families and children. These ideas can benefit other communities throughout the country with similar demography.
