The Houston Independent School District (HISD) currently offers two bilingual programs and two English as a Second Language (ESL) programs for English language learners (ELs). These programs facilitate ELs' integration into the regular school curriculum and ensure access to equal educational opportunities. Bilingual programs are offered in elementary schools and selected middle schools for language-minority students who need to enhance their English-language skills. Beginning in prekindergarten, the bilingual programs provide ELs with a carefully structured sequence of basic skills in their native language, as well as gradual skill development in English through ESL methodology. The native language functions to provide access to the curriculum while the student is acquiring English. Instruction in the native language assures that students attain grade-level cognitive skills without falling behind academically. ESL programs are also offered to language-minority students at all grade levels who need to develop and enhance their English-language skills. ESL programs provide intensive English instruction in all subjects, with a focus on listening, speaking, reading, and writing, through use of ESL methodology. EL enrollment in the district in 2019-2020 was 71,156, an increase of 4,762 (7 percent) from 2018-2019. A total of 33,624 EL students participated in bilingual programs in 2019-2020, and an additional 30,812 in ESL programs.