There are more than 65,000 English language learners who attend public schools in Maryland and one in every 10 students in elementary school is a a first-or second-generation immigrant, according to the Baltimore Sun.

To better assist those students, the state has commissioned a panel to try to amend the educational environment for immigrant kids.

According to paper, many teachers in the state’s public school system aren’t properly prepared to deal with these students. Because of that, many of those students end up dropping out of school completely.

Maryland public school officials are attempting to change the culture surrounding how immigrate students are taught. One of the ways the panel is exploring is by allowing students “to learn at their own pace.”

But the potential problem with that approach is that it may segregate immigrant students from the rest of the student body. In addition, two international schools have opened in Prince George’s County to better assist students who have immigrated from foreign lands.

Many of those students are from “war-torn lands, speaking dozens of languages.”

The state is at least attempting to make strides in making the transition easier for students who just happen to be immigrants. Some may be away from their families and struggling with transitioning to a new environment.

Hopefully this panel strikes the right tone and develops programs that will help new immigrant students long-term but doesn’t keep them completely separate from mainstream American students who could also benefit from learning alongside their immigrant peers.