Why do many ELL students have academic challenges? Read Double the Work, a study funded by the Carnegie Foundation that explores ELLs and adolescent literacy.

What is an English Language Learner (ELL)?
    ELLs are students who are not yet proficient in English. These students may be bilingual, monolingual, trilingual or have little proficiency in their first language. They may be U.S. born, immigrants, refugees, or migrant students. ELL students are the fastest growing population in the nation and their needs are unique.

How are ELLs identified?
    The first step to identifying an ELL is the use of the Home Language Survey from the Michigan Department of Education. Michigan’s English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) is given in the spring of each year and is also given to any student who does not have previous ELPA scores. Records of previous ELPA scores are available through the OEAA secure site.

What types of funding are available for ELL students?
    ELL students receive funding through the General fund just like any other student attending a public school. Additional funds are available to supplement basic programming; Title I, Part C (migrant education), Title III (Limited English Proficient), and Section 41 (Bilingual) monies can be used as well. More information can be found on the MDE website.

Common acronyms

• ELL – English Language Learner
• ESL – English as a Second Language
• ELD - English Language Development
• ELPA - English Language Proficiency Assessment
• ESOL – English to Speakers of Other Languages
• Bilingual – students who qualify for Section 41 funding and receive instruction from a certified and highly qualified bilingual teacher; students have varying degrees of proficiency in two or more languages
• CLAD - Crosscultural, Language, and Academic Development
• CLD - Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
• SIOP - Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol
• SDAIE - Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English
• BICS - Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
• CALP - Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency

Legal Issues - click here.

Special Topics - click here for more information on the silent period, newcomers, refugee, migrant, and undocumented students.

Do you have a new ELL student? Do you need their ELPA scores from their previous school? Click here.