Potential English Learners with Disabilities Process: Screening for Eligibility

Screening Potential English Learners with Disabilities (or Suspected Disabilities)

Students with disabilities established in an IEP or 504 Plan whose home or primary language is not English, must be administered the appropriate WIDA ELP Screener with the appropriate accommodations as established in the IEP.

These accommodations must be documented in the IEP platform the DES Department is using. Please consult with the Special Education teacher to ensure the accommodations on the ELP Screener are appropriate to the disability. In addition, see the WIDA Table of Allowable Accommodations in the GaDOE Accessibility and Accommodations Manual and in the WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Supplement document.

A potential EL entering school with a suspected disability may require an evaluation for special  education before administering the WIDA ELP Screener with accommodations, especially if the suspected disability would impact the results of the screener. Making an eligibility determination for EL status when there is a suspected disability that has not been addressed could impact the eligibility determination.

Note: ESOL teachers must meet the required federal timeline (30 days upon initial enrollment) for screening potential English Learners.

Students with Identified or Suspected Disabilities that Preclude Screening of One or More Language Domains

Even with accommodations, the WIDA ELP screeners may not serve as valid assessment tools for determining English Learner eligibility. Iin cases where a student's Individualized Education Program (IEP) prohibits the assessment of one or more language domains. Specifically, students who are deaf, blind, and non-verbal would fall into the category of having a disability that prevents assessment in one or more language domains. In such situations, alternative assessment methods and considerations may be necessary to determine the EL status and ensure that the unique language needs are adequately addressed within the framework of their Individualized Education Programs.

To determine whether the student qualifies as an English Learner, Atlanta Public Schools adheres to the following protocol:

• Student enrolls in school with another language other than English and has EITHER a suspected OR Identified Cognitive Disability 

• School enters enrollment data into Infinite Campus and has a conversation with local ESOL Teacher

• Local ESOL teacher emails apsesol@atlanta.k12.ga.us to let Multilingual Programs & Services know about the student 

• Local ESOL teacher will complete two 15 minutes observations

• Multilingual Programs & Services district representative will complete one 15 minute observation

• IEP team (parents, ESOL Teacher, Interpreter, Special Education Lead Teacher, District Representative, Classroom Teacher, Special Education Teacher) convinced a meeting to determine if the student can be assessed through the WIDA Screener with accommodations 

• If the WIDA Screener is determined to be a valid assessment the screener will be given to the student and the score will determine the eligibility for ESOL program participation.

• If the IEP team determines the student cannot be given the WIDA Screener the team will then need to determine if the student is eligible for ESOL program participation.  The notes from the meeting should be kept in the student’s permanent folder, and in the IEP notes. 

• Enter the student’s EL status in Infinite Campus

Note: If the student cannot be assessed with an ELP Screener, the IEP Team must meet annually to review the eligibility decision.

ELP Screener Costs
To ensure accessibility, any fees incurred during the thorough screening processes will be fully covered by local general funds.