All students who receive Special Education support who are also eligible for English Learner services (Dual Eligible students) receive both services as mandated by federal and state law. EL and Special Education teachers work together closely to determine what level of EL service is appropriate for a student. The Multilingual Department works to ensure that all Federal Setting 3 and 4 Special Education students who are also eligible for EL services receive both services.
All Dual Eligible students, including students whose families have chosen to waive EL services, will take the WIDA ACCESS test on a yearly basis. Accommodations listed on the students’ IEP will be followed during test administration. Students with significant cognitive disabilities may be given the Alternate ACCESS for ELs instead.
Each student's EL Teacher and Special Education teacher meet annually to discuss how language development and the student's IEP goals overlap and create a collaborative plan for support. They then update parents at conferences and the next IEP meeting.