SIFE Identification
Embedded Files
SIFE Overview
The New York State Education Department defines SIFE as follows:
The process of identifying students as SIFE is essential for providing them with the necessary support and resources to succeed academically.
SIFE students in New York State must meet the following criteria:
Speaks a home/primary language other than English
Places "Entering" on the NYSITELL (New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners)
Newly enrolled in a US school within the last 12 months
Performs two or more grade levels below age-appropriate grade
Indicates a possible interruption or inconsistency in education during the SIFE Oral Interview
📌 The entire process must be conducted by qualified personnel. Check NYSED's OBEWL SIFE website for more information.
🔤 A qualified translator/interpreter, provided by the school/district, may be needed based on the parent or guardian's preferred language.
🕖 The identification and placement process for ELLs, including SIFE students, must be completed within 10 school days after the student's initial enrollment or reentry in the school district.
Part 1: Multilingual Learner (MLL) Identification
Part 1: Multilingual Learner (MLL) Identification
💡Learn more about ELLs with disabilities who enter with an IEP.
Step 1: Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ)
Step 1: Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ)
Completed by the parent/guardian
Available in 43 languages: visit the NYSED site to download
🔍If a student's home language is English according to the HLQ & Individual Interview, stop the process here.
Step 2: Individual Interview
Step 2: Individual Interview
Completed by the student
Provides a preliminary assessment of a student's understanding and speaking ability in English, as well as proficiency in a language other than English
Conducted in English and in the student’s home/primary language by qualified personnel
Includes reviewing documents, prior assessments, and academic experience.
Check the HLQ and Individual Interview Guidance publication for more information and to access interview samples
Step 3: Initial ELL Identification Assessment (NYSITELL)
Step 3: Initial ELL Identification Assessment (NYSITELL)
Completed by the student
The New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners
See the NYSITELL Guide for test procedures, levels, materials, and scoring rubrics
🔍 If the student's English language proficiency is "Commanding" (Proficient), stop the process.
🛑 Checkpoint! Is the student an ELL/MLL? If not, stop, the student is not SIFE. If the student is an ELL/MLL and *may* have had an inconsistency in education, continue the SIFE identification process.
Part 2: SIFE Identification
Part 2: SIFE Identification
Step 4: SIFE Oral Interview
Step 4: SIFE Oral Interview
Qualified personnel will administer the Oral Interview Questionnaire to the student in the home language, with the assistance of an interpreter if necessary
The questionnaire is available in 14 additional languages on NYSED's OBEWL SIFE website
Use the SIFE Instructions and Guidance to obtain student educational background and language use information
Step 5: Administer the MLS
Step 5: Administer the MLS
Completed by the student in the language of previous education
The MLS measures reading comprehension and math skills in the language the student has learned to read in.
MLS reports provide specific information about students’ strengths and weaknesses in the target language.
Explore About the MLS for an overview of its features or use the MLS Quick Start to begin!
Step 6: NYSED's Writing Screener
Step 6: NYSED's Writing Screener
Completed by the student in the language of previous education
Must be evaluated by a qualified interpreter
Provides information about student's writing skills
For more detailed information and scoring rubrics, view the Writing Screener Instructions
🛑 Checkpoint! Review all data gathered in steps 1 through 6 and student transcript data (if available) to make a final SIFE determination.
Page updated
Report abuse