SIFE Overview

The New York State Education department defines SIFE as follows:

Students with Inconsistent/Interrupted Formal Education shall mean English Language Learners who have attended schools in the United States for less than twelve months and who, upon initial enrollment in such schools are two or more years below grade level in literacy in their home language and/or two or more years below grade level in math due to inconsistent or interrupted schooling prior to arrival in the United States.  (NYSED Commissioner's Regulations §154-2.2 (y)) 

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.