Other Resources

• Breaking New Ground for SLIFE: The Mutually Adaptive Learning Paradigm, 2nd Ed. (2023)

  • Authors: Andrea DeCapua and Helaine Marshall

  • Description: Updated version of the ground-breaking book on MALP. 

• Making the Transition to Classroom Success: Culturally Responsive Teaching for Struggling Language Learners (2013)

  • Authors: Andrea DeCapua and Helaine Marshall

  • Description: Research-centered guide for teachers on culturally responsive strategies for SLIFE. This book applies the MALP model in the classroom context.

• Meeting the Needs of SLIFE: A Guide for Educators, 2nd Ed. (2020)

  • Authors: Andrea DeCapua and Helaine Marshall

  • Description: Updated text for teachers of students identified as being SLIFE

• SLIFE: What Every Teacher Needs to Know: Brief Instructional Guides (2023)

  • Author: Andrea DeCapua 

  • Description: Reference guide for teachers of SLIFE

• Boosting Achievement: Reaching Students with Interrupted or Minimal Education (2017)

  • Authors: Carol Salva and Anna Matis

  • Description: A book examining how to support students identified as SLIFE. 

• English and Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education: Global Perspectives on Teacher Preparation and Classroom Practices (2022)

  • Editor: Javier Penton Herrera

  • Description: Compilation of international perspectives on supporting K-12 students with limited or interrupted education. 

• Making Americans (2022)

  • Author: Jessica Lander

  • Description: Massachusetts author and educator Jessica Lander writes about supporting immigrant students in U.S. schools. 

• Persistence of Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education

  • Author: Carol Salva

  • Description: Dissertation by Dr. Salva 

• Students with Interrupted Formal Education: Bridging Where They Are and What They Need (2017)

  • Authors: Brenda Custodio & Judith O'Loughlin

  • Description: Guide for educators to meet the socio-emotional and academic needs of SLIFE.

• Creating Systems to Identify and Support Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)"

  • Source: Ellevation

  • Description: An interview with Orly Klapholz (Inlier Learning) on the Ellevation "Highest Aspirations" podcast

• District-Level Needs Assessment: Building a Supportive Infrastructure for Newcomer Students and Families

  • Source: MA DESE

  • Description: A resource to assist Massachusetts district leaders in evaluating their schools' capacity to support newcomer students and their families upon arrival. 

• A Guide for the Placement and Evaluation of Foreign-Born Students 

  • Source: Palm Beach County School District, Florida 

  • Description: A resource provided to Guidance Counselors and ESOL Coordinators by the Department of Multicultural Education of the School District of Palm Beach County, Florida.  

• Evaluating Foreign Transcripts: A Resource Guide for School Districts (2023)

  • Source: Rhode Island Department of Education [adapted from guidance produced by the Office of Youth Development and School-Community Services (OYDSCS) of the New York City Department of Education (DOE)]

  • Description: A reference tool for districts to assist school staff members with evaluating foreign transcripts for students newly enrolling from other countries.

• Welcoming, Registering, and Supporting Newcomer Students: A Toolkit for Educators of Immigrant and Refugee Students in Secondary Schools 

  • Source: IES, Regional Education Lab Northwest

  • Description: This resource is intended to help educators identify and use research-based practices, policies, and procedures for welcoming, registering, and supporting newcomer immigrant and refugee students who are attending secondary schools in the United States, as well as their families.

• Finding the Right Starting Point: Obtaining, Interpreting, and Evaluating International Transcripts

  • Source: IES, Regional Education Lab Northwest

  • Description: This infographic outlines three steps for evaluating international transcripts to support enrollment of secondary newcomer immigrant students.

• Welcoming and Enrolling Students 

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: These resources are designed to help schools welcome and enroll newcomer students. Included on this page are guides and toolkits as well as webinar recordings that feature best practices, policies, and procedures to ensure Afghan students can successfully enroll and feel welcomed in schools.

• SLIFE Intake and Enrollment Checklist

  • Source: SupportEd

  • Description: Tool to support intake and enrollment of students identified as SLIFE. 

• Letter From the Commissioner: Welcoming Newcomer and Refugee Students and Families (4/6/22)

  • Source: MA DESE

  • Description: Guidance for Massachusetts educators about welcoming newcomer and refugee students and their families. 

• Enrolling and Supporting Newcomer Students in Massachusetts Districts: Frequently Asked Questions

  • • Source: MA DESE

    • Description: FAQ document for Massachusetts school and district personnel.

• Attorney General’s Advisory Regarding Equal Access to Public Education for All Students Irrespective of Immigration Status

  • Source: Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General

  • Description: Legal advisory about all students' rights to access a free and appropriate public education in Massachusetts.

• Confronting Discrimination Based on National Origin and Immigration Status

  • Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: A fact sheet for families and educators about all students' rights to enroll in public schools without regard to their or their parents' or guardians' immigration status.

• Educational Services for Immigrant Children and Those Recently Arrived to the United States

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: This fact sheet provides information to help education leaders better understand the responsibilities of states and local educational agencies (LEAs) in connection with immigrant students, and the existing resources available to help educate all immigrant students – including children who recently arrived in the United States. 

• Fact Sheet: Information on the Rights of All Children to Enroll in School

  • Source: U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Department of Education.

  • Description: Guidance on educational access 

• Resources for Immigrants, Refugees, Asylees and Other New Americans

  • Source: U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: Information and resources for immigrant, refugee, and asylee students and families.

• Resources for Refugees

  • Source: U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration of Children and Families

  • Description: Up-to-date listing of resources and supports from this federal office. 

U.S. Department of Education

• Newcomer Toolkit (Entire Toolkit)

  • Source: NCELA, U.S. Department of Education

  • Description: Newcomer Toolkit includes 5 chapters: 1) Who are Newcomers? 2) Welcoming Newcomers to a Safe, Inclusive, & Thriving School Environment, 3) Supporting Newcomers' Social, Emotional, and Mental Health Needs, 4) Providing High-Quality Instruction for Newcomers, 5) Establishing Partnerships with Families.

California

• Newcomer Toolkit (Oakland, CA)

  • Source: Oakland Unified School District

  • Description:  This website includes a variety of resources, including curriculum and instruction, program design, and district policies from Oakland public schools.

Maine

• Maine Resources on Newcomers and SLIFE

  • Source: Maine Department of Education

  • Description: Links to Minnesota Department of Education's resources on SLIFE, including learning modules, templates, etc.

Minnesota

• Minnesota Resources on SLIFE

  • Source: Minnesota Department of Education

  • Description: Links to Minnesota Department of Education's resources on SLIFE, including learning modules, templates, etc.

Mississippi

• Supports for English Learner Students with Limited or Inconsistent/Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)

  • Source: Mississippi Department of Education

  • Description: A practical guide for Mississippi educators to identify and meet the needs of SLIFE.

Nebraska

• Nebraska Resources on SLIFE

  • Source: Nebraska Department of Education

  • Description: Links to Nebraska Department of Education's resources on SLIFE, including learning modules, templates, etc.

New York

• New York Resources on SLIFE

  • Source: New York State Department of Education

  • Description: Links to New York State Department of Education's resources on SLIFE, including templates, screening resources, learning modules, etc.

• Students with Interrupted/Inconsistent Formal Education (SIFE): Building Bridges

  • Source: New York State Department of Education

  • Description: Video from NY State Education Department on understanding and supporting SIFE/SLIFE. 

• The First Steps: A Leader’s Resource for Welcoming Newly Arrived ELLs in NYC Public Schools

  • Source: New York City Public Schools, Division of Multilingual Learners

  • Description: This resource walks teams through the enrollment, identification and screening process for newly arrived English Language Learners and connect that intake data to instructional programming and supports for students and families. 

• Postsecondary Readiness Journey Map

  • Source: New York City Public Schools

  • Description: This is a guide for secondary multilingual and immigrant students as they approach postsecondary education. 

Virginia

• Supporting Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Schooling (SLIFE) Guidebook

  • Source: Virginia Department of Education

  • Description: This guidebook includes information for Virginia schools about identifying SLIFE and providing equitable opportunities and support.