What English Learners Success Forum does

English Learners Success Forum (ELSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that supports the design, adoption, and implementation of K-12 instructional materials for multilingual learners (MLLs). ELSF serves three primary audiences — curriculum publishers/content developers, education leaders (district, county, regional, and state), and professional learning providers — with a horizontal segmentation approach rather than a vertically integrated product. Its core delivery surface is the Resource Hub, a web-based portal that centralizes subject-specific guidelines (ELA, Math, Science, Spanish Language Arts, English Language Development), state-specific curriculum adoption toolkits (notably for California and Texas), evaluation frameworks such as Benchmarks of Quality and Materials Must-Haves, and a Professional Learning Framework. ELSF complements this self-serve content layer with fee-based Professional Learning Implementation Services, including curriculum-based training, coaching, and learning series delivered to districts and state education agencies (e.g., Rhode Island Department of Education, Texas Education Agency, Fresno Unified, San Diego Unified, Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, Aldine ISD).

ELSF does not operate a proprietary technology platform; its 'core technology' is curated, research-based content and convening infrastructure. Distribution is hybrid: free downloadable toolkits and an open Resource Hub serve top-of-funnel reach, while mid-funnel conversion occurs through webinars (e.g., 'Unlocking High-Quality Materials' for Texas) and an annual curriculum publisher convening (October 8–9, 2025). Direct enterprise partnerships with state education agencies and large districts close the loop with paid implementation support. The organization's reach is validated by a joint survey with Californians Together of nearly 250 California educators, finding 94% prioritize MLL-supportive materials in upcoming adoption cycles and that 80% of teachers report current materials inadequately support multilingual learners — pointing to a substantial, structurally undersupplied market (Texas alone has 1.2M Emergent Bilinguals).

The business model is nonprofit and non-commercial at the product layer: resources are free to download, with funding drawn from a mix of philanthropic contributions/grants and a narrower set of paid professional learning engagements. There are no disclosed funding rounds, no M&A activity, no patents or trademarks, and no certifications. ELSF is founder-led by Crystal Gonzales (Founder and Executive Director), with Dr. Alma Castro directing California Initiatives, Allison Barr as Chief Operating Officer, and 11–50 total staff. Operating geographies include California, Texas, Rhode Island, and the broader United States, with no global footprint claim.

Name

English Learners Success Forum

Legal name

English Learners Success Forum

Website

https://elsuccessforum.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ELSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides research-based guidelines, adoption toolkits, and professional learning services to help K-12 curriculum publishers, districts, and state education agencies design and implement instructional materials for multilingual learners, primarily in California, Texas, and Rhode Island.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Education Professional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Literacy & ELA Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAF)

Keywords

• Curriculum adoption support
• Multilingual learner education
• Professional learning services
• Education equity resources
• Curriculum development guidance

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Services and Professional Learning: ELSF provides curriculum-based professional learning, implementation support, and training services to education leaders, districts, states, and professional learning providers. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
2. Event Registration: Annual convenings and webinars for curriculum publishers and education leaders. Curriculum publishers register for annual convenings; education leaders access webinars and professional development.
3. Donations and Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, ELSF likely relies on donations, grants, and contributions to fund operations and mission activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ELSF provides research-based curriculum adoption toolkits, subject-specific guidelines (ELA, Math, Science, Spanish Language Arts, English Language Development), assessment frameworks, and professional learning implementation services to help content developers, education leaders, and districts select and implement high-quality instructional materials for multilingual learners. Its Resource Hub centralizes these resources alongside webinars, annual convenings, and case studies documenting state and district partnerships.

Product overview

English Learners Success Forum (ELSF) operates as a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive suite of educational resources, toolkits, guidelines, and professional learning services designed to support the design, adoption, and implementation of high-quality instructional materials for multilingual learners (MLLs). The core offering is the Resource Hub, a searchable platform providing access to subject-specific Curriculum Adoption Toolkits (Math, ELA/ELD, Science, Spanish Language Arts), detailed guidelines documents (ELA, Math, Science, SLA, ELD), and assessment frameworks including Benchmarks of Quality. ELSF provides state-specific support particularly for California and Texas, including adoption toolkits, RFP language templates, and case studies documenting partnerships with state education departments and districts. Professional Learning Implementation Services complement the resource library, offering curriculum-based training, coaching, and support for districts implementing MLL-centered materials. The organization also produces webinar series and research publications to advance educational equity for multilingual learners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Resource Hub A centralized online portal providing searchable access to ELSF's complete library of research-based resources, guidelines, toolkits, and professional learning materials supporting multilingual learner curriculum design, adoption, and implementation.
• Curriculum Adoption Toolkits A suite of toolkits supporting district leaders, adoption committees, and school boards in selecting high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials that are equitable, research-based, and inclusive of multilingual learners.
• Curriculum Adoption Toolkit (Content Agnostic) A comprehensive content-agnostic toolkit supporting district leaders, adoption committees, and school boards in selecting high-quality, standards-aligned instructional materials that are equitable, research-based, and inclusive of multilingual learners.
• Math Adoption Toolkit for California A specialized toolkit for selecting high-quality math instructional materials inclusive of multilingual learners, supporting school and district leaders through California's math adoption process.
• ELA/ELD Curriculum Adoption Toolkit for California A California-focused toolkit providing resources for English Language Arts and English Language Development curriculum adoption, addressing the specific needs of multilingual learners in the state.
• English Language Arts (ELA) Guidelines Evidence-based guidelines supporting the design and development of English Language Arts materials that center multilingual learners' cultural and linguistic assets.
• Math Guidelines Guidelines for designing and developing mathematics curriculum materials that support multilingual learners in accessing rigorous grade-level content.
• Science Guidelines Guidelines for science curriculum development that ensures multilingual learners can engage meaningfully with scientific content and language.
• Spanish Language Arts (SLA) Guidelines Guidelines specifically addressing Spanish Language Arts curriculum development to support dual language and bilingual education programs.
• English Language Development (ELD) Guidelines Comprehensive guidelines for integrating English Language Development instruction within core curriculum materials for multilingual learners.
• Benchmarks of Quality Quality benchmarks providing criteria for evaluating whether instructional materials adequately support multilingual learner success.
• Materials Must-Haves A practical resource identifying essential features that high-quality instructional materials must include to effectively serve multilingual learners.
• Professional Learning Framework A structured framework guiding curriculum-based professional learning that centers multilingual learners' needs for educators and administrators.
• Professional Learning Implementation Services Implementation support services including curriculum-based professional learning, training, and coaching supports to help districts center multilingual learners throughout adoption and implementation processes.
• Unlocking High-Quality Materials Webinar Series A webinar series addressing instructional materials adoptions for Emergent Bilinguals, covering topics including Texas IMRA cycle, math curriculum selection, and literacy materials adoption.
• Annual Convening for Curriculum Publishers An annual in-person event for curriculum publishers to engage with ELSF's MLL-centered frameworks and adoption guidance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 94% of surveyed California educators prioritize adopting materials for multilingual learners in upcoming adoption cycles
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSF partnered with RIDE to reimagine and elevate the academic experience of multilingual learners through an implementation learning series. The partnership supported district teams in building high-quality instructional material systems that center multilingual learners through professional learning rooted in curriculum literacy, targeted training, and sustained virtual coaching supports for leaders.
• Californians TogethercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint survey initiative with ELSF surveying nearly 250 California educators about their needs for ELA, ELD, and SLA materials. The survey results informed ELSF's resource development and advocacy for MLL-prioritized curriculum adoption.
• Texas Education AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Texas's Instructional Materials Review and Approval (IMRA) cycle. ELSF collaborates with TEA officials including Dr. Todd Davis (Associate Commissioner of Instructional Strategy) and Dr. Xochitl Rocha (Director of Bilingual Education) on webinars and guidance for Emergent Bilingual students.
• California Latino School Boards AssociationsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint webinars and events with the California Latino School Boards Association covering the role of education leaders in curriculum adoption and multilingual learner success.
• Fresno County Superintendent of SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELSF contributed expertise to Fresno County to ensure English learners were accounted for throughout the curriculum exploration process, demonstrating how to examine materials for appropriate language supports and accessibility.
• Aldine Independent School DistrictsecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured partner in ELSF's Texas webinar series, with Altagracia Delgado (Executive Director of Multilingual Services) presenting on supporting Emergent Bilinguals.
• Curriculum PublisherscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCurriculum publishers are targeted customers who register for ELSF's annual convening and receive guidance on designing MLL-inclusive materials. ELSF reviews and recommends adoption frameworks to ensure multilingual learners' needs are embedded in curriculum products.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WIDA Consortium: University of Wisconsin-Madison housed consortium that sets English language development standards and resources used by most U.S. states. Directly comparable as a standards- and resource-setting body for multilingual learners that districts and publishers rely on for MLL curriculum guidance.
• Colorín Colorado: A national multimedia project providing free resources, lesson plans, and professional development for educators of English language learners. Comparable to ELSF as a free, content-driven MLL resource provider serving educators and districts.
• Californians Together: California-based advocacy coalition for English learners and bilingual education. A direct ELSF partner on the California Educators Speak survey, and highly comparable as a state-focused MLL advocacy and policy organization.
• Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL): A nonprofit research and professional development organization focused on language education, including English learners and bilingual education. Comparable to ELSF in its combination of MLL-focused research, resources, and professional learning services.
• National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE): NABE is a national membership organization dedicated to bilingual education and English language learners. Comparable to ELSF as an advocacy and professional learning body for MLL educators, with overlap in state and federal policy engagement.

Broad incumbents

• TESOL International Association: The largest professional association for English language teaching professionals worldwide. Comparable to ELSF in serving the MLL/ESL educator community with professional learning, standards, and advocacy, but at significantly greater scale and broader scope.
• Imagine Learning: A major for-profit curriculum and edtech provider with significant ELL-focused products (Imagine Learning Español, Imagine Reading). Comparable to ELSF in addressing MLL curriculum adoption, but as a competing content publisher rather than an independent advisor.
• Lexia Learning: A Cambium Learning Group literacy company offering Lexia English specifically for English language learners. Comparable to ELSF's MLL literacy work as a commercial curriculum provider; both compete for district ELL literacy budgets, though from different sides of the publisher-advisor divide.
• Curriculum Associates (iReady): Major curriculum and assessment publisher behind i-Ready and Ready Mathematics and Reading. Comparable to ELSF in that ELSF's guidelines and toolkits are used by districts evaluating iReady and similar MLL-relevant materials during adoption cycles.

Emerging players

• Seidlitz Education: A Texas-based provider of professional development and coaching for educators of English language learners. Comparable to ELSF's Professional Learning Implementation Services line, though Seidlitz is more product-driven while ELSF is content-agnostic and content-publisher-facing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/elsuccessforum
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/english-learners-success-forum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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