Frequently Asked Questions

1.) Why has my child been identified for ESOL?

The Georgia Department of Education provides the following guidelines for identifying students who may be identified as an English  Learner (EL):

• Students whose native/home/first language is other than English receive the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or Grades 1-12, upon entry into a Georgia school. Students who do not achieve an overall score of 5.0 or higher, qualify and are identified for ESOL services. 

• Students who have been previously identified as English learners at any public school will continue to receive ESOL services until a 5.0 is achieved on the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs ® test. It is a federal and state requirement that schools administer the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs ® annually to all English Learners in Georgia. 

2.) How often does my child receive services?

• Students in grades K-3 receive 45 minutes of English instruction from an ESOL-certified teacher on a daily basis. 

• Students in grades 4-8 receive 50 minutes of English instruction from an ESOL-certified teacher on a daily basis. 

3.) Will my child always be an English learner?

• No. Once students meet the state-exit criteria on the ACCESS test, they no longer receive language support from the ESOL program.