EL Program Starter Kit

HELP!

My district wants to serve our new English learners well, but we don't know where to start!

This page provides an outline of basics to get started, though it is no substitute for thorough study. We especially recommend a dive into the NDE English Learner Programs webpages.

Learn

NDE's Rule 15 Canvas Course will equip Nebraska educators to fulfill the Nebraska EL Mission: to lead and support academic language learning so that English learners have meaningful access to high-quality instruction that will prepare them for learning, earning, and living. This course aligns with the Nebraska Rule 15: Regulations and Procedures for English Learner Programs in Nebraska Public Schools.

To enroll, go to NDE Canvas Catalog: https://canvas.education.ne.gov/
Click on English Learners - Rule 15
Watch THIS VIDEO for information about how to enroll, set up your account, and use the student dashboard in Canvas

NDE's EL Program Leader Timeline provides a schedule of tasks for those responsible for EL testing.

NDE's EL Leader Checklist and Resources is a comprehensive guide for program leaders with links for exploring details.

The Rule 15 Implementation Guide is a MUST HAVE resource to guide EL programming

Welcome

Tips for Welcoming ELs and their families:

SMILE!
Share the NDE Parent's Guide to English Learner Programs (available as a guide and infographic in English and Spanish).
Offer a school Welcome Kit. (See ideas from Colorin Colorado: Welcome Kit for New ELLs.)
Find a way to communicate. (If possible, schedule a translator. When necessary, use Google Translate or similar tools, pictures, and gestures with relaxed body language/voice tone. )
Learn to pronounce names correctly.
Set up a conversation with the family to ask important questions, listen to their hopes/concerns, and provide essential information about their first days. If you don't have a translator/interpreter to help, consider setting up an account with a phone translation service.
Seek to understand the student's story so far (e.g., academic, linguistic, family, social). These may have a direct influence on your next steps! If helpful, try gathering information with a tool such as a learning plan.
Assign a (temporary) peer partner. Ideally, this is someone who is especially friendly and/or speaks a language the student understands.
Give a tour of the most important places in the school.
Connect families with community resources.
Read about more ideas (e.g., Colorin Colorado: Serving and Supporting Immigrant Students)

Identify

Comply with NE Rule 15 to identify the student as EL.

Review the Home Language Survey. (Three questions should be a part of enrollment paperwork per NE Rule 15). If a language other than English is noted, continue to step 2.
Administer an English language proficiency assessment such as the ELPA21 Screener. (Anne at NDE is super helpful for support getting started. THESE SLIDES also provide lots of information for new users.) If the assessment indicates the student is not proficient in English, the student qualifies for EL services. Continue to step 3. (If a student comes from another Nebraska school district or has a recent ELPA21 score, and is currently identified as EL, the assessment does not need to be administered.)
Notify the parents/guardians of the student's EL status in a language they understand. Use a tool such as TransAct ParentNotices or the ESU Title III Consortium 's Parent Notification Letter. Notification should occur within 30 days of the beginning of the fall term or within 2 weeks if enrolling at any other time in the school year.
Work with your data manager to ensure that English learners are accurately identified in your Student Information System / ADVISER.

Serve: Staffing

Identify an educator to manage the students' language instruction and services. Consider all of your options!

- Is anyone endorsed (or interested in learning about) ESL/ELL?
- Is anyone multilingual? (This is not essential, but it can be helpful in the early stages.)
- Who would be helpful, resourceful, and especially good with this student?

Important Notes:

- Being multilingual is less important than strong teaching skills, relationship-building skills, and a learning spirit!
- Those without an ESL/ELL endorsement must participate in relevant professional development at least annually.
- Para-educators can support the instruction of ELs under the supervision of a qualified teacher. Provide them high-quality training!
- The ESU 4 Title III Consortium may be able to support tuition for EL-related coursework! Learn more HERE and talk with Jen!