Program Service Development

1. The ML teacher shall evaluate each student’s English language assessment results to determine the appropriate instructional and assessment services.
2. At minimum, each student should have English language development supports as well as access to grade level core content and curriculum.
3. For students who are dual qualified for ML services as well as special education, the ML teacher will consult with the student’s IEP team to determine appropriate supports. 

Notification for Families

     4. As required by ESSA 1112 (e)(3)(A), the District shall send written notification to parents of Multilingual Learners addressing the following:

1. 1. The process by which the child was identified
   2. The child’s level of English proficiency, how such level was assessed, and the status of the child’s academic achievement standards
   3. The programs offered by the district designed for Multilingual Learners
   4. How the programs will meet the educational strengths and needs of the child
   5. How the programs will specifically help their child learn English and meet age appropriate academic achievement standards
   6. Specific exit requirements of the programs
   7. How the program meets the objectives of the individualized education program of the child, in the case of a child with a disability
   8. Notifications must be understandable and to the extent practicable, in a language the parent can understand information pertaining to parental rights that include written guidance of (1) the right to waive ML services for their child upon request (2) the options that parents have to decline to enroll their child in such program or to choose another program or method of instruction, if available, by the school and (3) assist parents in selection among various programs and methods of instruction if more than one program is offered.

     5.   This notification shall be sent as follows:

1. 1. For students already participating in, or identified for participation in, a program for Multilingual Learners, parents shall be notified no later than 30 calendar days after the first day of school
   2. For students identified after the first day of school, parents shall be notified no later than 14 calendar days following the student’s placement in the program.
   3. Parents shall receive annual notification of their child’s progress on the state’s English proficiency objectives and required state assessments.

Once a parent/guardian of a Multilingual Learner has received notification, Multilingual Learners shall be provided services consistent with effective, evidence-based language instruction educational programs and curricula for teaching Multilingual Learners, in conjunction with guidelines set out in Washington Learning Standards, and by the national, state, and local standards for English language proficiency and academic performance.

Waiver of ML Services

Families can opt to waive ML services. When a parent/guardian wishes to waive participation, an ML teacher and school administrator, together, must communicate the benefits of program participation to parents/guardians in a language they can understand, including services available, the district’s reasoning for recommending the services, and their rights to revoke this waiver at any time. They must also sign and return the district form “Parent/Guardian Refusal of Student Placement.” Students will continue to participate in the annual WIDA ACCESS test until meeting the state exit criteria.

In the event services are waived, the district still retains a responsibility to ensure that the student has an equal opportunity to have their English language and academic needs met through high quality, evidence-based programming, as well as instructional and/or assessment accommodations.

Language Instruction Educational Programming

To determine which ML services and programs are best suited for a student identified as an ML, the ML teacher shall consider the student’s:

• English proficiency level
• Grade level
• Educational background
• Language background for dual language programs
• Other assessment data

Other child-centered factors the ML teacher may consider include:

• Student’s native language literacy
• Acculturation into U.S. society
• Length of time in U.S. schools

The WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards serve as Washington’s required English Language Proficiency (ELP) standards. These standards act as a companion document to the Washington Learning Standards (WLS) in guiding instruction for ML students. The WIDA ELD standards do not replace the WLS. Instead, these standards represent the social, instructional, and academic language that students need to engage with peers, educators, and the curriculum in schools.

WIDA Language Standards

Required Student Records

Students receiving ML services require maintenance of records for each student. Mukilteo School District maintains ML records in the Qmlativ student information system and the cumulative record including:

• Copy of the Home Language Survey
• Initial English Language Proficiency (WIDA Screener for Kindergarten/WIDA Online Screener)
• Copy of parent notification letter containing the required information in ESSA 1112(e)(3)(A)
• Level of academic achievement (e.g., report cards)
• Annual English Language Proficiency assessment results (WIDA ACCESS)
• Parent/Guardian Waiver (if applicable)