This review explores the multifaceted challenges and strategies related to the education of emergent bilingual (EB) students in the U.S. education system. It highlights three primary themes: program approaches, instructional needs, and the importance of school-home connections. The first theme evaluates various educational programs for EB students, such as dual language and immersion models, and their effectiveness in balancing English proficiency with native language retention. It also discusses the limitations of standardized testing and federal guidelines like Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which primarily emphasize English proficiency without adequately addressing bilingual education. The second theme focuses on instructional practices, emphasizing the benefits of systematic vocabulary instruction, multimodal teaching strategies, and the integration of students' native languages in academic content. Research suggests that combining vocabulary learning with cultural and linguistic context enhances both language acquisition and academic success. The final theme addresses the critical role of establishing strong school-home connections and culturally responsive pedagogy to foster trust and inclusion. It argues that understanding and incorporating students' cultural backgrounds can enrich the learning environment and improve educational outcomes. However, the sustainability of these approaches remains a challenge, particularly as the population of EB students continues to grow.