English Language Learner KnowledgeBase for Administrators & Teachers

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The English Language Learner (ELL) KnowledgeBase for Administrators and Teachers is an online resource supporting both the administration, teaching and execution of programs for English learning students. It offers resources related to Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requirements and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Task 3: Communicate Policies and Procedures to School Personnel

Guideline: Once established, the exit policies and procedures to monitor ELL student academic achievement should be communicated to the appropriate school personnel. In addition to issuing memorandum and policy statements, school administrators should present in-service training sessions explaining the policies, procedures, and requirements regarding ELL students to school staff members.

resources

Guidelines

Enrolling and Identifying ELL Students

This Central Rivers Area Education Agency website offers processes and procedures with flowcharts on Enrolling and Identifying new ELL students.

Ensuring Meaningful Communication

State education agencies (SEAs) and local education agencies (LEAs) have an obligation to communicate meaningfully with limited English proficient (LEP) parents and to notify LEP parents adequately of information about any program, service, or activity called to the attention of non-LEP parents.

LAU Plan Guidance Checklist (2016)

Districts are required to use the Lau Plan Guidance document. In addition, there is a Lau Plan Checklist 2016 that districts will want to use in alignment and check that all necessary components are in their Lau Plan. The Lau Plan Checklist will be used to approve plans by the state.

LAU Plan Guidance Document

Tools and Resources for Monitoring and Exiting ELLs from EL Programs and Services

As students become proficient in English, and their need of support begins to decline, they pass through three stages. Each stage involves decreased support with regular monitoring. This process provides a safety net of sorts to ensure that if the student should begin to struggle due to language, it is caught quickly and appropriate support is reinstated.

What All Districts Must Have Now for ELLs

District Lau (ELL) Plan: The district’s Lau Plan (formerly the ELL Plan) is a very important document. This plan spells out how the district will identify and serve ELL students from the moment of enrollment until the point of monitoring progress to ensure continued success after the student has been exited from the program. Districts are held accountable for the actions included in the plan. During the document review phase of Comprehensive Site Visits, districts must show evidence of identification procedures (ELL 1), program placement options (ELL 2), and exit criteria (ELL 3) in the district’s Lau Plan. It is crucial that the plan is reviewed regularly and revised to accurately reflect current district procedures.

Districts are required to use the Lau Plan Guidance Document. In addition, there is a Lau Plan Checklist 2016that districts will want to use in alignment and check that all necessary components are in their Lau Plan. The Lau Plan Checklist will be used to approve plans by the state.

References

Practical Tips

The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and are intended for general reference purposes only. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education or the Center, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Some resources on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader. This website archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.