School Districts Responsibilities in the
Education of English Language Learners
§ Registration (Screen all students to identify those students who are potential ELL)
§ Utilize criteria to classify a potential ELL (Home Language Survey)
§ Potential ELL are forwarded for assessment to determine if services are appropriate
Assessment
§ District has identified instruments to assess language proficiency and academic skills
§ Potential ELL English language proficiency skills (listening, speaking, reading, and
writing) are assessed within the first 30 days after arrival into the district
§ ELL academic/content area skills are assessed
Program Selection
§ District has selected its program (based on potential students’ population and resources)
§ Educational programs and curricula are based on scientifically based research i.e.
Bilingual or ESL
Staffing
§ Staff is appropriately trained and sufficient in number to fully implement the program
§ Valid Iowa teaching license and ESL endorsement
§ Paraprofessionals have training
Program Placement and Participation
§ ELLs are placed into the district’s programs, develop English language and academic
skills and have opportunity for meaningful participation in the educational program
§ Students are not segregated from their English-speaking peers
§ Parents should be involved in the decision and are informed of program options within
the first 30 days of entering the district and school activities
Exit From Program
§ Students are proficient in English (language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading,
writing and enables them to participate meaningfully in the education program)
§ ELLs are working at grade level in all content areas (subject matter development is
sufficient to meaningfully participate in the education program)
§ Teachers recommend their exit
§ Parents agree with the decision
§ After exiting the program students continue to be monitored for 2 years
§ Implementation of the program
§ Effectiveness in meeting the goals (for language proficiency and academic development)
§ Revise and modify based on data
Compiled by C Sosa 2002
Adapted by Mary R. Smith 2005
LAU MANDATES INTRODUCTION STAGES OF LAU PLAN DEVELOPMENT page 1