English Learners

EL and Non-EL Bilingual Process Guidance 

• EL and Non-EL Bilingual Process Guidance: Guidance document detailing the state EL identification process and conditions necessary to qualify a student as Non-EL Bilingual (not EL, but still generating a Bilingual allocation through the State Aid funding formula). The document includes an updated EL identification and language coding flow chart for LEA reference. 

• EL and Non-EL Bilingual Process Guidance Webinar: Webinar discussing the state EL identification process, updates to the state Home Language Survey, the addition of the "Less Often" Non-EL Bilingual Qualification Form, and an EL identification scenario walkthrough.

• "Less Often" Non-EL Bilingual Qualification Form: New form that will be required in the LEA Bilingual Audit in cases where a student is both "less often" and assigned Non-EL Bilingual status. 

• Approved "Less Often" Norm-Referenced Tests: Guidance document detailing those assessments approved for the purposes of "less often" Non-EL Bilingual qualification. 

• Home Language Survey: Updated version of state Home Language Survey mandated for all new enrollments beginning in the 2021-2022 school year.

• Home Language Survey (Spanish): Spanish language version of the updated state Home Language Survey mandated for all new enrollments beginning in the 2021-2022 school year.

• Bilingual Audit Process: Webinar discussing the bilingual audit process. 

English Learner Guides

• English Learner Process and Practice Frequently Asked Questions (EL FAQ): Updated 6.22.21 Changelog; Review Webinar; Slide Deck Comprehensive guidance document containing information on all aspects of identifying, serving, and assessing English learners in Oklahoma public schools.

• English Learner Guidebook: Changing Educational Outcomes for English Learners: OSDE-created guidance document discussing the legal responsibilities involved in serving ELs as well as instructional and administrative best practices regarding EL-specific supports and services. 

• English Learners Exit Criteria For Other U.S. States and Territories: Table detailing the exit criteria for English Learners attending public schools in other U.S. states and territories.

LIEP Guidance and Support Resources

• Creating District and Student Level Language Instruction Plans for English Learners Webinar; Slide Deck OSDE webinar providing an overview of sections and questions contained in the district-level Language Instructional Education Program (LIEP) and student-level English Language Academic Plan (ELAP)

• Professional Development Requirements Related to English Learners: OSDE guidance document outlining the professional development activities that an LEA must implement when serving one or more English Learner students. 

ELAP Guidance and Support Resources

• Completing the English Language Academic Plan (ELAP): OSDE webinar outlining the steps necessary in the completion of a student ELAP.

• English Language Academic Plan (ELAP): State-required document that must be completed annually for all identified English learners. Available in either .docx format or .pdf format.

• Understanding the ELAP, a Guide for Parents and Caregivers of English Learners: OSDE guidance document describing the purpose and content of the ELAP. A Spanish-language version is also available.

Office of English Language Proficiency Presentations

• English Learner Policy and Process Series: Part 1: New 8.13.21 Webinar; Slide Deck This presentation is the first in a five-part series developed to support new district EL coordinators. Topics in this webinar include accessing state EL guidance, an overview of the Home Language Survey, and determining student English proficiency coding in the Accountability Reporting application. The English Proficiency Coding and the Accountability Reporting Application guidance document was developed as a supplemental resource to this presentation.  

• English Learner Policy and Process Series: Part 2: New 9.3.21 Webinar; Slide Deck This presentation is the second in a five-part series developed to support new district EL coordinators. Topics in this webinar include a review of state English language proficiency assessments, an introduction to the English Language Academic Plan (ELAP), and an overview of EL parent or guardian notification requirements.

• Strategies for Supporting English Learners Before, During, and After a Lesson: New 7.26.21 Webinar; Slide Deck This webinar covers how to best support English Learners and build an English Learner Unit Starter Support Pack to facilitate learning for all students.

EL Identification and Screening Resources 

• Oklahoma Pre-K Screening Tool (PKST): State screening tool for Pre-K students. 

• Oklahoma English Language Learner Identification and Placement Guidance Document: Guidance document summarizing Oklahoma's English Learner identification and placement process. 

Office of English Language Proficiency Calendar 

• Oklahoma English Learner Schedule: 2021-2022 Calendar for the Office of English Language Proficiency.   

WIDA Q&A Webinars Calendar 

• 2021-2022 WIDA Webinar Schedule: WIDA-supported webinars will be recorded and posted in the WIDA Secure Portal within one week.

ACCESS Testing Resources

• WIDA District Test Coordinator Designation for 2021-2022 School Year: Google form for WIDA DTC designation. 

• 2021-2022 ACCESS Testing Irregularity Report: Google form used to report K ACCESS, ACCESS,  ALT ACCESS assessment irregularities.

• 2021-2022 ACCESS Testing: Information and Reminders: Pending Webinar; Slide Deck This video covers important reminders during the testing window, including updates to the process for transferring students during testing, tips on avoiding common test irregularities, and other helpful information. 

• WIDA Accessibility and Accommodations Supplement: WIDA guidance document outlining the accommodations allowable in the administration of a WIDA assessment. 

• Oklahoma ACCESS for ELLs Online District Coordinator Checklist: Checklist of all tasks that need to be completed before, during, and after testing within a school and/or district. 

English Learner OSTP Accommodations Documents

• EL State Testing Accommodations Manual: Updated 8.23.21 OSDE guidance document detailing accommodations approved for English Learner students in OSTP assessment. 

• Approved Word-to-Word Dictionary List: Updated 8.23.21 List of word-to-word dictionaries currently approved for English Learner accommodation in OSTP assessment. 

EL Misidentification Appeals Process

EL Misidentification Process Overview: Webinar; Slide Deck Presentation addressing the eligibility for EL misidentification appeal and overview of example documentation required when submitting an appeal.

• EL Misidentification Appeals Process Walkthrough: Guidance document outlining EL misidentification appeal allowability and submission process.

• EL Misidentification Appeal Form: Supporting document required for any EL misidentification appeal. 

• OELP Corrective Action Plan (CAP): Supporting document required in cases where the EL misidentification appeal is the result of a lapse in the expected local implementation of state policy.

ELP Band Committee Exit Request Resources

NOTE: Due to the successful administration of spring OSTP assessments and ACCESS assessment, the Band Exit Process will again be available for the 2020-2021 year.

• Using ELP Band Exit Process for English Learners: Webinar; Slide Deck OSDE webinar discussing student eligibility requirements and submission of an ELP Band Exit appeal.

• ELP Band Exit Committee Guidance and Single Sign-On Instructions: Guidance document outlining the processes and reporting requirements related to the successful submission of an ELP Band Exit appeal. 

• ACCESS for ELLs ELP Band Committee Rubric: Rubric that must be completed when ELP band committees are making reclassification and exit decisions for ELs who participated in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment.  

• Alternate ACCESS for ELLs ELP Band Committee Rubric: Rubric that must be completed when ELP band committees are making reclassification and exit decisions for dually-identified ELs with significant cognitive challenges who participated in Alternate ACCESS for ELLs assessment.   

• Alternate ACCESS for ELLS A1-A2 ELP Band Committee Rubric: Rubric that must be completed when ELP band committees are making reclassification and exit decisions for dually-identified ELs with significant cognitive challenges who participated in Alternate ACCESS assessment and scored in the A1-A2 range on each of the three most recent test administrations in the past four years. 

• Assessments Approved for ELLs Rubric Element #2: Guidance document detailing the specific grade-level requirement(s), approved assessment(s), and qualifying score(s) required in Element #2 of the ACCESS for ELLs ELP Band Committee Rubric. 

• Norm-Referenced Tests Approved for ELLS Rubric Element #5: Guidance document detailing the specific grade-level requirement(s), approved assessment(s), and qualifying score(s) required in Element #5 of the ACCESS for ELLs ELP Band Committee Rubric. 

• Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (SOLOM): The SOLOM is a tool designed to gauge an EL student’s oral language proficiency and may be used, at district discretion, to satisfy one of the supplemental requirements noted on ACCESS for ELLs Band Committee Rubric.   

• NMAR Form: Form that must be completed annually for any EL or potential EL student who meets all five No Measurable Academic Response criteria.

Links to Important WIDA Resources

• WIDA Scale Score to Proficiency Levels: WIDA guidance document detailing the Lowest Obtainable Scale Scores (LOSS) across all performance levels and grades. 

• ACCESS for ELLs Scale Score to Grade Level Proficiency: OSDE guidance document correlating the ACCESS for ELLs 4.8 Composite/Overall scores with the equivalent Lowest Obtainable Scale Scores (LOSS) for all grades. 

• Instructions for Obtaining WIDA and WIDA AMS Accounts: Oklahoma-specific guidance on obtaining a WIDA & WIDA AMS account. 

• Oklahoma WIDA Member Page: WIDA-supported page providing information on testing dates, test material orders, and deadlines. 

Office of English Language Proficiency Contacts

OELP@sde.ok.gov  - OELP Main Line (405) 522-5073

Dan Ruhl, Executive Director of English Language Proficiency 

Janna Corn, Director of the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Indicator 

Yuseli Freire, English Language Proficiency Assessments and Monitoring Specialist