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 4: Ensure Appropriate Placement of ELL Students in Special Education Programs

Guideline: As part of the English language learner program, the school district should have policies in place regarding ELL students participating in special education programs. ELL students placed in special education programs should have notations about their home language and background placed in their special education student file.

resources

Tools

Tools and Resources for ELLs with Disabilities

This U.S. Department of Education Toolkit provides tools and resources for ELLs with disabilities.

Guidelines

Addressing Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Student Overrepresentation in Special Education: Guidelines for Parents

Authored by the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems, this document offers "guidance for parents on actions they can take to address a perceived overrepresentation of language minority students in a school's special education program."

Identifying ELLs with Language Disabilities

This Webcast presented by Dr. Elsa Cardenas Hogan focuses on identifying ELLs with language disabilities.

Individual Education Plan

When developing an individual education plan (IEP), state law usually requires the IEP team to be attentive to cultural and language differences. Each state's department of education has information to aid IEP teams in the process of formulating an individual education plan. This document offers links to each state's requirements.

OCR PAR Issues Brochure - Special Education

This document contains the special education section from the OCR Region VII office's Profile, Assessment, and Resolution (PAR) Region pilot project. The brochure provides guidance on special education programs for ELL students.

Legal

A Guide to Learning Disabilities for the ESL Classroom Practitioner

Description of classroom behaviors associated with several common learning problems, the results of research into them, and practical suggestions to classroom teachers for working more profitably with these students.

English Language Learners and the ESSA

This PowerPoint was presented at the Combined Federal Programs Meeting describing how ESSA affects ELLs.

Legal Rights: The Overrepresentation of Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Students in Special Education

Authored by the National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems, this document offers "guidance for practitioners on the federal laws guaranteeing a free and appropriate public education and protecting students with disabilities from discrimination."

Special Education and ELL Students

Each state department of education has regulations and standards for special education programs as they pertain to English language learners. The content provided summarizes a state's requirements and/or provides the specific rule and regulation.

References

English Language Learners and Special Education: A Resource Handbook

This link to the Connecticut Department of Education website provides a resource handbook about ELLs and special education. Though intended for Connecticut educators, educators in other states may find the content useful.

National Center for Culturally Responsive Educational Systems (NCCRESt)

This link is to the former website of NCCRESt now supported by the Equity Allianceat Arizona State University.

Programs for English Language Learners - Other District Programs

This document from the Office for Civil Rights offers guidance on establishing programs for English language learners. This reference addresses equal access for ELL students to the full range of district programs, including special education, Title I, gifted and talented programs, and nonacademic and extracurricular activities.

STEM Strategies for English Language Learners with Disabilities

STEM strategies for ELL students with disabilities include learning centers, instructional games, and techniques to develop conversational language, academic language, scaffolding, concrete materials, and visual learning. Teachers can use these techniques to provide best practices math and science instruction integrated with modifications for teaching ELL students with disabilities. These strategies utilize technology as well as the science, math, and problem solving of engineering to improve the education of ELLs.

Serving English Language Learners with Disabilities - Placement of LEP Students

This document contains a link to the Illinois manual titled "Serving English Language Learners with Disabilities." While this manual is written as a resource for Illinois educators, all educators will find the general information it contains useful.

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.