English Learners (ELs) are those students in Wyoming schools whose primary language is a language other than English. English Learners enter Wyoming schools with a variety of language backgrounds, educational experiences and levels of English proficiency. State education agencies, local education agencies and schools are held accountable for increasing English proficiency and core academic content knowledge of English learners.
Wyoming is part of the WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) Consortium, a member-based organization, which provides a flexible suite of tests suitable for all students in Grades K-12 who have been identified as Active English language learners. WIDA is dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners which offers programming for identifying and annually assessing the English language development of its English learners.
Districts, teachers, families can find resources on the WIDA website to better understand assessment, instruction, and growth of English Learners and educators.
Identification
The identification of a student as an Active English Learner in Wyoming is a three-step process. Federal statute requires that students are accurately identified, so they may receive English Language services.
- Step One: Home Language Survey
- Step Two: Follow-up Family Interview
- Step Three: English Language Proficiency Screener
Assessment
An English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) assesses students’ progress towards attaining English proficiency. Wyoming’s ELPA is called the ACCESS for ELLs® and WIDA Alternate ACCESS. Active English learners are required to participate in ACCESS once per year as indicated in 34 CFR § 200.6 (h). The Alternate ACCESS is available for English learners who have been designated as a Student with the Most Significant Cognitive Disability (SMSCD) for the purposes of state assessments.
