EL Update
August 17th, 2026
- Have EL students at KCTC? Send any specific classroom / testing accommodations to AP kristyloughlinvance@kentisd.org
- Changed positions or LEAs? Let Casey know where you landed for 26/27
Welcome Back & Start of School Part 2
Fall PD
- MDE Special Pops - Registration is live for the preconference and main conference
- Scroll to the Upcoming Events section for EL Connect, Tri-County Program Leads, Effectively Working with Interpreters, and Bridging Worlds sessions
New Entry Protocol & Screening
- MI is now using both the WIDA Screener and the WIDA Alternate Screener (for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities)
- All staff who administer the Screeners must pass the training course on the WIDA Secure Site
- Students scoring less than 4.0 on one or more domains of the K Screener or WIDA Screener qualify as English Learners
- Students scoring 3 or below on the Alternate Screener qualify as English Learners
- Screening - incoming K students only take Listening and Speaking on their Screener and all grade levels take the Screener for the prior grade level or band (now - Dec. 1st)
- Alternate Screener - give the test level that matches the student's current grade (incoming K students take the entire K Alternate Screener)
- MDE Alternate Screener Guidance document
- MDE WIDA Screener Guidance document
- Kindergarten Flow Chart
Kent ISD EL Director Fall Update
- Will be part of KLC's agenda on September 11th
- Highlights will be sent out
- Administrator's Guide for English Learners
Resources
Section 41 Changes
- New weighted funding formula for this year (MDE Memo)
- MDE will be holding a webinar on these changes later this month
- Section 31a and Section 41 have now been combined into a funding stream known as 22b
- LEAs are still responsible to cover all EL program costs and meet mandated instruction minutes using their English Learner (formerly Section 41) funds
- EL Directors / Coordinators / Leads should be working with their Business Office to ensure your EL program needs, staffing, PD, supplies, etc. continue to come from this budget
- EL Budgeting Resource from MDE
WIDA & State Assessments
- Spring 26 WIDA Results are Available!
- Students are auto-exited by MDE at 4.8 or higher to Access and overall score of 5 for Alternate Access
How Do I Find Screener / WIDA Scores for New Students?
You have multiple options:
- Use MiLearn - now includes guides for each major student information system
- WIDA Screener scores and Access / Alt Access scores can now be viewed in MiLearn - this allows for you to see a student's score when they enroll rather than having to wait or contact another district - learn more at the MiLearn Resources Page
- Submit an SRM in MSDS and change the PEPE to your district / schools - you will then be able to see testing history and scores (*usually done by pupil accountant*)
- Contact the previous school / district - we need to update our WIDA Score Contact Person listing - click here to enter the correct person for your district / school
Upcoming Events
9/9 - MDE Statewide Update Webinar - registration link
9/11 - EL Fall Director Update during KLC (will send highlights out afterward)
9/15 - Leading Together: Tri-County EL Program Leads (session #1 of 4)
9/29 - EL Connect (session #1 of 3, identical AM & PM)
10/12 - MDE Special Pops Preconference
- 10/13 - 10/14 - MDE Special Pops conference
- 10/21 - Effectively Working with Interpreters (also offered in March)
- 10/24 - MITESOL Conference, MSU
- 11/11 - MDE Comprehensive High School Monitoring webinar (1 of 2)
- 12/2 - Bridging Worlds: Supporting Newcomer Success in School
26/27 Resources
- Click for 25/26 Resources
- Administrator's Guide for English Learners
- Updated Statewide EL Professional Learning calendar
- Kent ISD Guidance on using an Affidavit instead of copying / keeping birth certificates or identity documents during enrollment
EL Update
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