Training for EL Identification

LYSD follows the identification process outlined by the State of Alaska in the Guidance for Identification of English Language Learners. Specific areas outlined by LYSD within the first 30 days of school.

• Home Language Survey (HLS) questions are completed annually by parents/guardians as a part of the LYSDS's enrollment process for all students.
• LYSD's Director of Assessment will regularly monitor the student information system for students who are identified for potential ELL screening based on the HLS.
• HLS will be archived both electronically and in hard copy versions.

If the Home Language Survey indicates that no other language is present at home, but the student's instructional team is concerned that another language is present and is impact the students success in school based on the Federal definition of an English Language Learner Part D (see definition below) then the Building Test Coordinator will conduct a Language Observation Checklist (LOC).

Federal Definition Part (D) A student whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual:

• The ability to meet the challenging State academic standards.

• The ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English.

• The opportunity to participate fully in society.

Step 1: Parents/Guardians complete the Home Language Survey (HLS) when enrolling a student in the Lower Yukon School District. If the HLS indicates another language is present and the child meets the definition of an EL student they will be screened using WIDA Screener.

Step 2: Students will be identified in PowerSchool who require EL screening. Principals and Building Test Coordinators (BTC) will be notified by LYSD's Director of Assessment when students require screening.

Step 3: Once the BTC has been notified that a student requires screening, the student must be screened with 30 days for cTitle III compliance.

Step 4: The Building Test Coordinator completes the WIDA screening.

Step 5: The Building Test Coordinator will score the WIDA screener and notifiy LYSD's Director of Assessment

Step 6: The Director of Assessment determines if the student qualifies for ELL services.

Step 7: If the student qualifies for EL services, the Director of Assessment will send the BTC an Initial Letter of Identification to the principal and BTC. The principal or BTC will mail the letter to the parent/guardian as soon as possible. The BTC will verify the date that the letter was mailed out and notify the Director of Assessment. Director of Assessment will update PowerSchool with the student's designation as an ELL.

If the Home Language Survey indicates that no other language is present at home, but the student's instructional team is concerned that another language is present and is impact the students success in school, then the Building Test Coordinator will conduct a Language Observation Checklist (LOC).

Step1: The Building Test Coordinator must complete the Annual EL Identification Training Module.

Step 2: The BTC completes the LOC as scheduled with the instructional team.

Step 3: Once the LOC has been completed, the BTC will review the checklist for the following:

• 5 or more No’s in Part A
• Or not at grade level proficiency
• 2 signatures (testing coordinator, instructional staff member with knowledge of the student)

Step 4: If the criteria are all present then the student will be screened using the WIDA screener.

Step 5: The Building Test Coordinator completes the WIDA screening.

Step 6: The Building Test Coordinator will score the WIDA screener and notifiy LYSD's Director of Assessment

Step 7: The Director of Assessment determines if the student qualifies for ELL services.

Step 8: If the student qualifies for ELL services, the Director of Assessment will send the BTC an Initial Letter of Identification to the principal and BTC. The letter will be mailed to the parent/guardian as soon as possible. The BTC will verify that the letter was sent and the date it was sent with Director of Assessment. Director of Assessment will update PowerSchool with the student's designation as an ELL.

At the beginning of each school year, each Building Test Coordinator will receive an electronic folder containing the following resources and information:

• LYSD EL Handbook
• LYSD Building Test Coordinator Training
• Guidance for English Learner Identification
• Home Language Survey (HLS)
• Language Observation Checklist (LOC)