ELL students may also qualify for special education services. The process for qualifying for special education services is thorough in order to ensure that ELL students are being placed appropriately and not because they have limited English or may have limited schooling. ELL students who qualify for special education must receive both ELL / ESL and Special Education services.

ELL students should be assessed in both their primary language and English by bilingual personnel and/or through qualified translators / interpreters. A disability must manifest itself in both languages in order to qualify an ELL student for special education services.

**New - Important Considerations for Special Education and ELLs

**New - Special Education in Mexico - Mexico identifies 5 disability classifications and does not recognize learning or reading disabilities. Read this document for a better understanding of their special education system.

Before you assess an ELL students for Special Education, click here.

Click here to visit Kent ISD's Special Education website.

The following forms are available from MDE in alternate languages:

• Procedural Safeguards Notice 
  English [Word] English [PDF] Arabic [PDF] Spanish [PDF] 
• IEP Model Form (July 2010) - This is the model form for all IEP forms.
  English [PDF] | English [Word] | Arabic [PDF] | Spanish [PDF] 
• Notice Model Form-Initial (July 2010) - This is the model form for the Notice for Initial Provision of Services and Programs.
  English [PDF] | English [Word] | Arabic [PDF] | Spanish [PDF] 
• Notice Model Form-Reevaluation/Annual Review (August 2010) - This is the model form for the Notice for Provision of Services and Programs. It is the Notice form for a Reevaluation or Annual/Review IEP.
  English [PDF] | English [Word] | Arabic [PDF] | Spanish [PDF] 
• IEP Amendment Model Form (August 2010) - This is the model form for making minor changes during the year.
  English [PDF] | English [Word] | Arabic [PDF] | Spanish [PDF]

ELPA Testing

Effective for Spring 2011, OEAA is using a new process for requesting exemptions for ELLs with disabilities for the ELPA. Exemptions are only available for ELLs whose disabilities prevent them from being meaningfully assessed by one or more sections of the ELPA. If you would like to request an exemption, please visit:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2011_elpa_exemption_request 

Resources

Get Ready to Read! - National Center for Learning Disabilities early literacy screener and suggestions in both English and Spanish