Newcomer Information & Resources
Who are Newcomers?
The U.S. Department of Education defines newcomers as any foreign-born students and their families who have recently arrived in the U.S. Additionally, newcomer students are defined as English Learners (EL) who have received less than two years of instruction in U.S. schools.Â
Newcomer Student Population Includes
Asylum seekers
Immigrants
Migrant children
Refugees
Unaccompanied youth minors
Common Challenges of Newcomers
Langauge barrier
Cultural differences
Socioeconomic status
Depression/Anxiety/Trauma experienced from journey to the United States
Ethnic or Racial Tensions
Bullying
Helpful Resources
WIDA Can Do Descriptors (PreK-12)
When creating lessons and activities for students, it is important to consider their abilities and how they will be able to show you what they have learned. Teachers can use the WIDA Can Do Descriptors to consider MLs' abilities based on their language level in the four language domains. Check out your Grade Level Cluster below!