English Learner Program

ENGLISH LEARNERS

Students who have a home language other than English (or in addition to English) and test limited English proficient in any language domain, speaking, listening comprehension, reading, or writing, may be eligible for English Learner (EL) Services. The goal of the program is to teach students social and academic English so that they will be able to fully participate in all classes and subjects taught in school.

Identification

When a parent/guardian indicates a language other than English on any question on the Minnesota Language Survey, an EL instructor will assess the student for eligibility for EL services when they first enroll in the district. Students are eligible for EL services based on criteria for English learners identified by the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE).

Students who have qualified for EL services continue to be eligible, until they reach a level of English proficiency that allows them to independently access and succeed in the curriculum, as demonstrated by meeting exit criteria outlined by MDE.

Parent Notification

Parents will be notified within ten days of a student beginning EL Services each school year. The notification will include the criteria used to determine eligibility for EL Services, the child’s level of English proficiency and general information about EL Services. Parents of English learners will be invited to meet with their child’s EL instructor during fall Parent-Teacher Conferences to learn more about EL Services and how they can work cooperatively with the school to advance their child’s English language skills.

EL Service Delivery

Inver Grove Heights Schools offer language programs that are designed to meet the varying student needs across English proficiency levels. Our programs provide students at the beginning levels of English proficiency with more intensive services than students at the transitional levels. Instruction is based on Minnesota's English Language Development (ELD) standards. In addition, challenging state academic content standards, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) strategies, and ELD standards are aligned to provide rigorous coursework for all students. Decisions about service delivery are also made while considering special needs of English learners, which could include students with disabilities (e.g., 504 plan or IEPs), students with specific health challenges, students who are new to the country, education history, specific talents, or other individual factors.

EL Service Guidelines for Elementary Programs
EL Service Guidelines for IGH Middle School Programs
EL Service Guidelines for Simley High School Programs

Refusal of EL Services

Parents/guardians who do not wish their child to receive EL Services may refuse services by contacting your child's building principal. The request must be completed each year the parents wish to refuse EL Services.

SLIFE Identification

English learners with limited or interrupted formal education will be identified based on the following criteria:

  • Come from a home where the language usually spoken is other than English, or usually speaks a language other than English;
  • Enter school in the United States after grade 6;
  • Have at least two years less schooling than the English learner’s peers;
  • Function at least two years below expected grade level in reading and mathematics; and
  • May be preliterate in the English learner’s native language

Exit Criteria

English Learners who reach a level of English proficiency that allows them to independently access and succeed in the curriculum will be exited from English Learner Services. Students exit EL Services and are reclassified non-EL based on the MDE exit criteria for English Learners.

More Information

To inquire about EL services for your child, contact your child’s building principal. For general information about EL Services, contact Abel Riodique, Director of Special Services, (651) 306-7828.