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Registration & Identification of LEP Students

An English Learner (EL) is a student whose primary or home language is other than English and who lacks the necessary academic English language skills to achieve grade level success in the domains of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Manheim Central School District identifies students who have limited English proficiency (LEP) and enrolls them in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program.

Students are identified as possibly being in need of ESL program services through the following screening procedures:

  • Upon enrollment in the district, parents are asked to complete a Home Language Survey. This survey identifies all PHLOTE students (Primary Home Language Other than English) whose first or dominant language is not English.
  • A PHLOTE list is kept on file and is available to staff. The Home Language Surveys are filed in the students’ permanent record folders through graduation.
  • If the answer to any of the questions on the Home Language Survey indicates a language other than English, a family interview is conducted, and the registration is passed along to the ESL teacher for review. The ESL teacher will administer the WIDA Screener to determine the need for English as a Second Language instruction.
  • The ESL teacher will then determine the most appropriate language instruction program (LIEP) based on the student’s English language proficiency and native language proficiency, if available.
  • Note: The student does not need to have been born outside the USA to be eligible to receive ESL services. A student who is an American citizen can receive services if the first language was other than English, or if English is not the only language spoken in the student’s home.

There are certain scenarios that preclude assessment if a student can demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP):

  • It is determined in the family interview that the student comes from an environment where English is not the dominant language, but the student is proficient in English.
  • A review of the records from a previous school district indicates that the student was receiving, or had previously received, either Bilingual or ESL services in that district. Newly enrolling students without academic records are assessed for English language proficiency.
  • Parent permission to assess is not required to assess a student for language proficiency.