English Learner (EL) Services

ELs are protected under the Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 EEOA). The EEOA requires that public Schools take "appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by [their] students in [their] students in [their] instructional programs" (Education Law Center, 2015)

The SFPS Multicultural and Bilingual Department complies with Federal and State guidelines to appropriately identify and serve ALL EL’s in our public schools.

ENGLISH LEARNER FAQ

Santa Fe Public Schools

English Learner (EL) Services

1. Who is an ELL?

2. Who is an ESL or ELD student?

3. What is the difference between an EL and ELD?

4. How are English learners identified?

5. Where are the LUS and the W-APT/WIDA Screener results kept?

6. Can a student be identified as an English learner using a Teacher Observation Form?

7. Does an ESL or ELD class have to be taught by an English Teacher who has a TESOL endorsement or can it be any teacher with a TESOL endorsement?

8. What kind of services does a district/school have to provide English learners?

9. What does an EL program have to include?

10. Can parents refuse to have their student take the ACCESS for ELLs assessment?

11. What assessments does an EL student have to take?

12. Can students whose home language is Navajo receive a Testing in English Waiver?

13. Can a student who has scored an overall (composite) score of 5.1 on ACCESS for ELLs assessment still receive a Testing in English Waiver?

14. Do students with disabilities who are also ELs take the ACCESS for ELLs assessment?

15. What is the process and what forms do we use to to monitor exited ELs?

16. Do identified English learners have to participate in a New Mexico state-funded bilingual multicultural education program (BMEP)?