Eligibility for Multilingual Services
Is the language your child first spoke or understood a language other than English?
Does your child mostly speak a language other than English?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, your child might be eligible for Multilingual Services. In Seattle Public Schools, it is called English Learner/Multilingual Learner (EL/ML) Services.
What is EL/ML services? When your child receives EL/ML Services, it means that during instruction, their teacher(s) provide(s) sensory, graphic, interactive, and emotional support within the classroom. This helps your child more effectively learn both the grade-level subject matter and the English language.
Family Guide: Eligibility for Multilingual Services in SPS
Step 1: Enroll at SPS and Submit a Home Language Survey
Becoming eligible for EL/ML Services begins at enrollment.
Families can enroll students online or in-person at John Stanford with Enrollment Services (2445 3rd Ave S, Seattle, WA 98134). Students are assigned to their neighborhood school based on their home address.
When a child enrolls in a Washington State school, the family fills out the Home Language Survey as part of the online enrollment process.
Step 2: WIDA Screener Assessment
If the family identifies a language other than English as the language the student first spoke or understood or uses most often at home, the student is given an English Language Proficiency Screener also known as the WIDA Screener within 10 days of attendance. The screener assesses listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The WIDA Screener will be administered by a staff member at the school where the child is attending.
Step 3: Determining Eligibility for EL/ML Services
WIDA Screener results will determine the student’s eligibility for EL/ML services.
The WIDA Screener Scores
To be eligible for EL/ML services, the students must score below the minimum scores for each domain (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) and composite score.
Parents will be notified by email if their child qualifies for EL/ML services. Once eligible, the student will begin receiving EL/ML services at their neighborhood school.
Grade Level | Minimum Domain Score | Minimum Composite Score |
---|---|---|
Kindergarten (through Dec. 31) | 5 (listening and speaking) | 5 (oral language) |
Kindergarten (beginning Jan. 1) | 4 (all domains) | 4.5 (overall) |
1st Grade | 4 (all domains) | 4.5 (overall) |
2nd-12th Grade | 4 (all domains) | 5 (overall) |
Step 4: Family Notification (accept or waive services)
The Multilingual Department notifies families about their student’s eligibility to receive EL/ML services. Pictured below is an example of a family notification letter.
Parents/guardians who wish to accept EL/ML services for their student(s), do not need to do anything else at this point. The student will receive EL/ML services until they score proficient on their annual WIDA ACCESS Assessment.
Parents/guardians have the right to waive (reject) EL/ML services for their student(s). Waiving services means that the student will not receive EL/ML services. However, Washington State requires that the student continue to take the annual WIDA ACCESS Assessment until the student scores proficient.
How to Waive (Reject) EL/ML Services
If the parent/guardian wishes to waive or reject EL/ML services for their student(s), they can request a waiver form from their child’s school, complete the form, and return it to the school.
Parents Who Previously Waived (Rejected Services Can Request EL/ML Services
If you initially waived or rejected services for your student(s), then later decide to accept EL/ML services, you can email the ML Department at WIDASPS@xlqx.net to request for your child to receive EL/ML services again.
Your student will start receiving EL/ML services once the request has been received.
Step 5: School Assignment
All Seattle Public Schools can provide EL/ML services, regardless of the English language proficiency levels of multilingual students.
Newcomers or New to English
A multilingual student is classified as a newcomer or new to English if the following are both true,
- the multilingual student has been in U.S. schools for less than one year and
- the multilingual student’s WIDA Screener score in each domain is 1.
If the WIDA Screener scores and the student’s attendance in U.S. schools identify the multilingual student as a newcomer or new to English, the Central Office ML Department offers the student/family three placement options.