Foreign students come to Newton

Even as it laid off or released 25 teachers, this year Newton added 1.5 teacher positions and 2.5 aides to its English Language Learners program to address a surge in the population of students who are new to the language. The district had a 15 percent increase is the number of such students between 2006 and 2007, and will have at least a 6 percent increase this fall.

"It's a notable change that has really increased the diversity of Newton's schools," said Jody Klein, the district's director of language acquisition. "We are making every effort to address their needs without straining the system. . . . Our teachers and aides are also working with more students."

About 18 percent of Newton's 11,600-member student body is exposed to another language at home, Klein said. Read more here.