EL 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
- ask parents/guardians for the information needed to identify potential ELs using the New Mexico Language Usage Survey (LUS); and
- 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.
Learn About
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:
GRADE | DOMAINS | WIDA SCREENER FOR KINDERGARTEN SCORE IDENTIFIES STUDENT AS AN EL | WIDA SCREENER FOR KINDERGARTEN SCORE INDICATES STUDENT IS NOT AN EL |
---|---|---|---|
Kindergarten Student entering in 1st Semester | Listening Speaking | Oral Language Composite Score of 4.5 or lower* | Oral Language Composite Score of 5.0 or higher |
Kindergarten Student entering in 2nd Semester | Listening Speaking Reading Writing | Overall Composite Score of 4.5 or lower* | Overall Composite Score of 5.0 or higher |
WiDA Screener Score Table:
GRADE | DOMAINS | WIDA SCREENER FOR KINDERGARTEN SCORE IDENTIFIES STUDENT AS AN EL | WIDA SCREENER FOR KINDERGARTEN SCORE INDICATES STUDENT IS NOT AN EL |
---|---|---|---|
Grades 1-12 | Listening Speaking Reading Writing | Overall Composite Score of 4.5 or lower* | Overall Composite Score of 5.0 or higher |
*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.).
WIDA EL Resources
SWREL EL Resources
Effects of Reclassifying EL Students on Student Achievement in NM
Effects of Reclassifying EL Students on Student Achievement in NM Appendices
Effects of Reclassifying EL Students on Student Achievement in NM Study Snapshot
Effects of Reclassifying EL Students on Student Achievement in NM Data Management Plan
English Language Development among American Indian EL Students in NM
English Language Development among American Indian EL Students in NM Appendices
English Language Development among American Indian EL Students in NM Study Snapshot
- Video: Walking in Both Worlds: Native American Students and Language Acquisition (Parts I & II)
- Video: Partnering to Support English Learner Students in New Mexico: A Continuous Improvement Approach
- Video: New Mexico’s State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy: Supporting American Indian Language Preservation
- Video: Supporting Language Proficiency & Cultural Preservation: New Mexico’s State Seal of Bilingualism-Biliteracy
- Video: Implementing Biliteracy Seals to Strengthen Bilingual Education and Support Cultural Awareness
- Webinar: Adapting Instruction for English Learner Students During Distance Learning: Perspectives From Practitioners
- Video: Cultivating Students’ Home Language: The Role of Spanish Proficiency in Learning English
- Descriptive Study: Initial Spanish Proficiency and English Language Development Among Spanish Speaking English Learner Students in New Mexico