Step 4: Services & Supports

SLIFE often need specialized assistance, beyond what an English learner education program usually provides, to facilitate their academic success and overall well-being. This section offers descriptions of promising characteristics and examples of what schools may do in four focal areas of SLIFE services and support:

• Academic and linguistic support

• Social-emotional support

• Family/caregiver and community connections

• Progress monitoring and exiting SLIFE status

The descriptions of the four focal areas for SLIFE services and support in this section are not meant to be a prescription or a checklist. Given the heterogeneity of the SLIFE population and the variety of school contexts in which they are received (e.g., low or high enrollment numbers, rural or urban settings, brand new or well-established English learner education and SLIFE programs), SLIFE services and support may look different in each setting. The descriptions and examples of practice in the four focal areas serve as suggestions and ideas for each district or school to a) prioritize student well-being and success, and b) determine its own approach to SLIFE services and support.

The 2024 Massachusetts Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support recommends that districts serving newcomers and SLIFE convene a SLIFE Planning Team that can collaborate to 1) review MA SLIFE Guidance and this Toolkit and 2) conduct a self-assessment to reflect on current practices, identify needs, and plan for next steps to ensure that students identified as SLIFE receive high-quality services and supports. 

For more information on how to convene a SLIFE Planning Team and consider different types of services and supports, see pg. 8 of the 2024 Massachusetts Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support. You can also find some sample self-assessment tools below.

Once steps 1–3 (pre-screener, interview, and academic screening) have been completed, and the student is identified as SLIFE, the district can consider how to use the data collected to create a plan to support the student’s academic and linguistic goals, social-emotional well-being, and to monitor progress.  

Planning district structures and preparing district staff to develop a robust service and support plan for students identified as SLIFE involves a well-informed and a thoughtful approach.

• Consider training staff on topics such as:

  • • Understanding the unique characteristics of SLIFE

    • Taking a person-centered approach (e.g., consider the student’s hopes and dreams, incorporate student assets, and consider the student backgrounds and experiences)

    • Cultural competency

    • Trauma-informed practices

    • Collaboration skills

    • Promoting an inclusive and supportive environment

    • Teaching frameworks, strategies, and approaches designed specifically for SLIFE

• Familiarize staff with available resources for SLIFE: dedicate common meeting times and professional learning opportunities for staff to delve into available educational programs; academic, linguistic, and social-emotional support; and services available through community partnerships.

• Create an administration plan: Develop a clear process for developing the SLIFE service plan, including scheduling, logistics, how students and caregivers may be involved in crafting of the optional plan, how students will be accommodated as needed during such process, how communication will happen among stakeholders, and how often the plan may be reviewed and adjusted.

• Evaluate and adjust: After developing and implementing the plan, evaluate the process to identify areas for improvement and adjust as needed. 

SLIFE Program Planning Tools

• Worcester Public Schools Self-Assessment: DESE SLIFE Guidance

  • Source: Worcester Public Schools

  • Description: A self-assessment checklist that a district or school SLIFE planning team can use to self-assess strengths and areas of need with regard to identifying and supporting SLIFE.

• SLIFE Program Review Planning Tool

  • Source: SupportEd

  • Description: The SLIFE Program Review Planning Tool provides a process to annually review SLIFE programs for alignment with current research-based practices. This review protocol can serve as a tool to review and record the current implementation status of best practices each year and can also serve as an action plan for next steps for full implementation of these research-based best practices. 

Tools for Coordinating SLIFE Services & Supports

Some districts find it helpful to use the structure of a SLIFE Success Plan (See MA DESE’s SLIFE Student Success Plan Template or Worcester Public Schools’ SLIFE Individualized Learning Plan), but such use is entirely optional. Districts should be aware that this optional SLIFE plan differs from the mandated benchmark requirement for all ELs.

Some school districts may find it helpful to consider the use of a SLIFE Success Portfolio, a holistic and collaborative approach to developing and maintaining a SLIFE Success Plan, which is outlined in the 2024 Massachusetts Guidance for SLIFE Identification, Services, and Support.

For more details and resources for each of the four focal areas of SLIFE services and supports, go to:

• Academic and linguistic support

• Social-emotional support

• Family/caregiver and community connections

• Progress monitoring and exiting SLIFE status