Last modified: October 27, 2023

Title III Identification & Program Placement Procedures Graphic

Download Identification & Program Placement Graphic

Identification & Program Placement of English Learners *Pre-k to 12th

USBE Approved
*4 year old Pre-K identification begins Spring of the currently enrolled program.

Step 1 – English Language Identification

Home Language Survey

[HLS] filled out online by parent/guardian at registration.

Federal Law requires this information for ALL students.

Registration Questions

What is the primary language used in the home, regardless of the language spoken by the student?
What is the language most often spoken by the student?
What is the language that the student first acquired?
What language do you prefer for school-to-home information?
Does your family come from a refugee background?

YES – A language other than English is used in the home = may be EL.
NO – A language other than English is NOT used in the home = Does not qualify for screening or EL services.

Step 2 – English Language Screening

Before Screening Procedures

Check previous enrollments for evidence of EL Identification.

USBE DataGateway
Call previous school
Request CUM folder

If no previous evidence, administer WiDA Screener of appropriate grade level.

*School administrator may call home to confirm the second language spoken in the home before testing.

Step 3 – Proficiency & Student Support

English Language Proficiency Levels

Levels 1-4.1 receive English Language Development [ELD] support from highly qualified teachers in grades PreK-12.

Identification letters are mailed home to parents indicating the ELD support options that will be given to students in all proficiencies.

If testing indicates a student is proficient, the student is monitored.

Students are proficient if they receive an overall score of a 5, 6, or a 4.2-4.9 with a 3.5 or better on the speaking domain.

Students who are NOT proficient will be given the WiDA ACCESS Assessment annually.

Students who are proficient may be given the WiDA ACCESS Assessment if necessary as determined by teacher, admin team & parent.

*Students cannot opt out of taking the WiDA ACCESS assessment, however, they can opt out of services, but must do so annually following district procedures.

Step 4 – Monitoring & Exit Criteria

Monitoring

Proficient students are monitored for 4 years prior to exiting as an EL student. Evidence of English proficiency to exit includes:

Standardized assessments
Classroom assessments
Classroom performance
Teacher observation

Following a 4 year monitoring period, the school’s exiting committee reviews the EL plan to assess whether criteria for exiting has been met.

If YES – exit from services
If NO – continue to monitor

*If a teacher believes the HLS was marked incorrectly by the parent/guardian and feels a student should be tested, the teacher should contact the EL Supervisor with the evidence as to why.