English Learners - Who Are EL's

Child Eligibility:

  • Alaska’s English learner students are identified by districts and schools by following the statewide entrance procedures, as set in Alaska’s state plan.

Definitions:

ENGLISH LEARNER.—The term ‘‘English learner’’, when used with respect to an individual, means an individual—

  • (A) who is aged 3 through 21;
  • (B) who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary school or secondary school;
  • (C)(i) who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English;
    • (ii)(I) who is a Native American or Alaska Native, or a native resident of the outlying areas; and
    • (II) who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual’s level of English language proficiency; or
    • (iii) who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; and
  • (D) whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual—
    • (i) the ability to meet the challenging State academic standards;
    • (ii) the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or
    • (iii) the opportunity to participate fully in society.
English Learners - How schools support EL's

The U.S. Department of Education provides formula grants to states based on the number of English learners reported within the state. The purpose of these funds is:

  • to help ensure that English learners, including immigrant children and youth, attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English;
  • to assist all English learners, including immigrant children and youth, to achieve at high levels in academic subjects so that all English learners can meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet;
  • to assist teachers (including preschool teachers), principals and other school leaders, State educational agencies, local educational agencies, and schools in establishing, implementing, and sustaining effective language instruction educational programs designed to assist in teaching English learners, including immigrant children and youth;
  • to assist teachers (including preschool teachers), principals and other school leaders, State educational agencies, and local educational agencies to develop and enhance their capacity to provide effective instructional programs designed to prepare English learners, including immigrant children and youth, to enter all-English instructional settings; and
  • to promote parental, family, and community participation in language instruction educational programs for the parents, families, and communities of English learners.
Title IIIA - English Learners Use of Funds

Headphones with Mics

Lexia Supplemental Program - allows students to practice speaking

Literacy Kits for EL Families

School Site budgets to be used for (tutoring, home learning kits, supplemental books)