What is an English Learner (EL)?

An EL, or English Learner, is a student who:

• is aged 3 through 21, enrolled in an elementary or secondary school,
• is learning the English language,
• not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English,
• requires specialized or modified instruction in both English language and in their academic courses

How do students enter the English Learner (EL) Program?

Step One: A language other than English must be indicated on the Home Language Survey

Step Two: If the Home Language Survey indicates a history of a language other than English, the student must be assessed for his/her English proficiency using one of the following approved assessments .

Step Three: If one of the state-approved English language proficiency assessments determines that the student is limited in any domain of English proficiency (listening, speaking, reading, writing, or a composite of the four domains), that student must receive ESOL services by a "qualified" teacher. Students who score "proficient/fluent" on the English language proficiency assessment used by the district to determine eligibility are not eligible for ESOL services and will be recorded in the Kansas Individual Data on Students (KIDS) system as "not an ESOL eligible student" (ESOL/Bilingual Program Participation field, code Blank). KIDS file specification can be found at: http://kidsweb.ksde.org/.

Step Four: Follow the English Learners Step-by-Step Guide

How do students exit the English Learner (EL) program?

• The state KELPA2 determines that the student scored "proficient" for ONE year beginning 2017-2018.

• Building Leadership Team (BLT) or Student Improvement Team (SIT) recommends that the student be exited from ESOL services (explanation provided on exit form) after one year.

• Also, parents have the right to withdraw their child from an ESOL services at any time by submitting written documentation to that effect. (Students withdrawn from ESOL services are not exempt from taking the annual KELPA2)

• NOTE: If a student is exited from ESOL services and later found to need services, the student would need to be retested with one of the approved assessments for participation in the program.