English Learners

Learning another language can be very challenging. At Byron Center Public Schools, children who speak another language other than English in their home, or a have a different native language, are given the opportunity to enrich their learning with a highly qualified teacher of English Learner (EL). Individual and group support is provided to help our students become acclimated socially and academically.

To educate each linguistically and culturally diverse student with the academic and social skills needed to succeed based on high standards for English literacy in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

What is an English Learner (EL)?

ELs are students who are not yet proficient in English. These students may be bilingual, monolingual, trilingual or have little proficiency in their first language. They may be U.S. born, immigrants, refugees or migrant students. 

How are ELs identified?

The first step in identifying an EL student is the use of the Home Language Survey from the Michigan Department of Education. Michigan's English Language Proficiency Assessment (WIDA) is given in the spring of each year and is also given to any new student who does not have previous WIDA scores.  

Resources

Home Language Survey
Home Language Survey - Spanish
EL Handbook