English Learner Identification

Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and subsequent federal and state mandates, all districts in New Mexico must screen, identify, and provide services to ELs. Given this responsibility, districts are required to

1. ask parents/guardians for the information needed to identify potential ELs using the New Mexico Language Usage Survey (LUS); and
2. assess potential ELs using the department-approved English Language Proficiency (ELP) WIDA screener for Kindergarten to determine EL status.

The LUS is typically administered to parents/guardians at a student’s initial school enrollment and should only be administered once in a student’s school career. It includes a number of differently worded questions that essentially ask parents/guardians for the same information: to indicate whether a language other-than-English is used by the student and by the student’s parents/guardians, in the home.

Language Usage Survey Forms

Language Usage Survey Memorandum 10.31.2016

Understanding the Language Usage Survey Process (video)

Memo-EL Identification, ELP Placement, Exit Criteria 4.24.17

State Policy for EL Identification and Proficiency Memo

WIDA English Learner Identification & Placement Guidance 2022-2023

Testing Irregularity Form for English Language Proficiency Screening

Sample Initial Parent Notification Letter

Sample Initial Parent Notification Letter (Spanish version)

Screening and Assessment

Within the first 30 calendar days of the start of the school year—or within two weeks of placement, if not identified prior to the beginning of school year (as is required by Title I Section 1112(e)(3)(A) http://www2.ed.gov/documents/essa-act-of-1965.pdf and 6.29.5.11 NMAC) students who are identified as potential ELs through the Language Usage Survey (LUS) must be assessed with a valid and reliable assessment, the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and the WIDA Screener Online in grades 1-12. If the results of the WIDA Screener for Kindergarten or the WIDA Screener Online determine that the student is an EL, parents or guardians must be notified of services available within those first 30 calendar days.

When a parent answers one or more ‘yes’ on questions 1-6 and/or a language other than English indicated in question 7 of the Language Usage Survey: Screen using the WiDA Screener.

WiDA Screener for Kindergarten Score Table:

WiDA Screener Score Table:

^*The composite scores for the WIDA Screener will be reported as integers and also with 0.5 interval scores (for example, scores of 1, 1.5. 2, 2.5, etc.).