English Language Supports at School

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You can go to our Asking about the English Language Supports at Your Child’s School section below to learn more about how to ask the school about the help your child gets to improve their English skills.

Start: Students are identified as English Learners.

Every school in Ohio must take steps to see which students may need help improving their English. The school must do this during the first 30 days after your child is enrolled in school. The school may have your child take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener to see if your child could benefit from extra help to improve their English language skills. Schools usually test students who use more than one language or have trouble using English at school. Schools learn about the languages students use at home by having families complete the Ohio Language Usage Survey (also called the Home Language Usage Survey).

Students who get a score below the Proficient level on this test will be considered English Learners. The school is responsible for helping these students improve their English language skills. Before providing this help, the school must make sure parents want their child to get this help from the school.

Even if a family decides that they do not want their child to get help with their English language skills, the school must have these students take an English test (Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment) every year to check their progress. Every time the school tests your child’s English language skills, they must share the results with your family. They will usually send your family a letter.

Learn more in the How does the school share test results? section below.

Learn: Students get help to improve their English skills.

Each school may teach English differently. Some schools take students out of their class for English language instruction. This is taught by an English language teacher in a separate room or building. At other schools, students stay in their regular classes and get extra help to make sure they understand what is taught. Other schools or programs may have students learn in both English and their home language. You may also ask someone at the school. You can learn more in our Asking about the English Language Supports at Your Child’s School section below.

❗Remember: The school must teach your child the same subjects, like math and history, as native English speakers. They must make sure your child understands what is being taught. To learn more about the rights you and your child have, visit the Your Education Rights page of the Family Roadmap.

Check progress: Students take a test each year to check their English skills.

Students who are considered English Learners and who get help at school to improve their English check their progress each year by taking an English test. The test is called the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment and it helps the school decide if your child should continue getting this help and be considered an English Learner. To pass the test, your child needs to get a score of Proficient in their English skills for listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The school must share the results with you every time your child takes the test, and the school may share this with you through a letter or some other way. Your child may get help to improve their English from the school until they pass the test. Learn more about the test in the What is the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment section below.

If your child gets a Proficient score (or passes):

• The school will no longer consider your child an English Learner.
• Your child will no longer receive English language services.
• The school will monitor your child’s English language skills for two years.

• The school will consider your child an English Learner.
• They will provide help to improve your child’s English skills unless you tell the school you do not want your child to participate.
• The school will send you a letter sharing the test results.
• Your child will take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment each year until they pass. They will do this even if they do not participate in English language services.

Students with cognitive disabilities can take a different version of the English test. It is called the Alternate Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (Alt-OELPA). You can visit the Ohio English Language Proficiency (OELPA) page of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website for information.

Finish: Students pass the English test.

After your child passes the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment, they will no longer get help to improve their English language skills. The school will no longer consider your child an English Learner. Your child will no longer receive English Language services. The school will monitor your child’s English language skills for two years. If your child begins to struggle with using English at school, the school may offer them English language services again. You may also reach out to the school if you think your child needs help with their English skills.
To learn more about what is required for students to exit the English Learner program visit the English Learner Exit Criteria page of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website. Your child will continue to learn and grow with their peers to their high school graduation and beyond! You can learn about how to support them along the way by visiting our Preparing Your Child for a Brighter Future page.

What is the Home Language Survey? (Language Usage Survey)  

The Home Language Survey is a form that parents complete when their child starts school in Ohio. It helps schools understand the language background of students and identify those who may need extra support with English. When you enroll your child, the school may ask you to fill out this survey. It's not about immigration status; it's about making sure the school can provide the right education services for your child. It also helps the school make sure they communicate with you in the language you prefer. The survey asks about your preferred language for communication, your child's language background, and any prior education experiences. This information helps the school support your child's success in school.

What is the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener?  

The Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener is a test used to identify which students may need help with their English skills. Schools test students’ English language skills. This is how schools determine which student should be considered English Learners. Your child may take this test if they speak more than one language at home or if they have trouble using English at school. The test checks on students’ English skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Students who do not get a proficient score are considered English Learners.

If your child gets a score below proficient:

• The school will consider your child an English Learner.
• They will receive English language services unless you tell the school you do not want your child to participate.
• The school will send you a letter sharing the test results.
• Your child will take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment each year until they pass.

What is the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment?

The Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment is the test students who are considered English Learners take each year. This test helps the school decide if your child should continue getting help improving their English skills. It is also how they figure out if a student should still be considered an English Learner. To pass the test, your child needs to get a score of Proficient in their English skills for listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The school must share the results with you every time your child takes the test. They may share the results through a letter or some other way. Your child may get help to improve their English from the school until they pass the test.

If your child gets a proficient score:

• The school will no longer consider your child an English Learner.
• Your child will no longer receive English Language services.
• The school will monitor your child’s English language skills for two years.

If your child gets a score below proficient:

• The school will consider your child an English Learner.
• They will provide help to improve your child’s English skills unless you tell the school you do not want your child to participate.
• The school will send you a letter sharing the test results.
• Your child will take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment each year until they pass even if they do not participate in English language services. 

How does the school share the test results?

Any time schools test your child’s English language skills, they must share the results with you. They usually send a letter that explains the results.

• It will say if your child scored below or above a Proficient level of English.
• If your child scored below a Proficient level, there will be information about the English language services available.
• The school will ask you to consent to having your child get English language help.
• The school will share what services are available to help your child improve their English. 

What English language supports are available?  

Each school may provide different types of English language supports. It is best to ask the school about the English language supports they provide. Some schools take students out of their class for English language instruction. These classes are usually taught by an English language teacher. The instruction may be in a separate room or building.  

Other schools may have students stay in their regular classes. They get extra help to make sure they understand what is taught. Other programs may have students learn in both English and their home language. Students who receive English language supports have more opportunities to improve their English. This can promote their development, academic success, and opens up future opportunities for them. 

Will my child still have access to other programs and services at school?   

❗Students who receive English language supports have access to the same services and programs as all other students. This includes gifted and special education. This also includes sports teams, school clubs, and other extracurricular activities. Your child has the right to a fair education. You can learn more on our Your Education Rights page.

English Language Teacher

Some schools have an English language teacher who teaches students English. They will know about how your child is progressing. They can share how your child is learning English. The English language teacher may also work with other teachers to plan your child’s learning.  

Questions you can ask English language teachers:  

• How does the school help students who need help with their English skills?  
• What English support does my child get?  
• Will my child fall behind if they get extra help at school to improve their English skills?  
• Will my child learn faster if they only use English at home?  
• How can I support my child’s English skills at home?  
• When will my child stop getting help to improve their English?  
• When are students tested on their English skills?  
• What is my child’s most recent English language proficiency score? What was it last year?
• Will my child be taken out of their class to receive English support? 

Classroom Teachers  

Classroom teachers (or general education teachers) teach children other subjects like math and science. Your child could have one classroom teacher or many teachers who teach different subjects.   

Questions for classroom teachers:  

• How is my child doing in class?  
• How can I support my child’s learning at home?  
• What help does my child get to develop their English language skills in your class?  
• What support does my child get to learn the material in your class?
• Can my child get additional time to complete assignments?
• Will my child still be able to participate in after school activities like sports?

Family Liaisons

Your school may have one or more people who work directly with families, such as a family liaison or parent liaison. Family liaisons are an important resource for families. They help families and schools work together and are often from the community. They may speak more than one language and may also help families find other resources outside of the school.  

Questions for family liaisons:  

• Who can I talk to about my child’s English language learning?  
• I am not comfortable using English. How can I talk with the school or my child’s teacher?  
• How can I request an interpreter to meet with the school?  
• Who can I talk to if I think my child is gifted?  
• Who can I talk to if I think my child has additional learning needs or a disability?  
• Who can I talk to if my family needs help?  

Principals

Principals and assistant principals manage the school. If you have concerns that cannot be addressed by your child’s teacher, you can talk with the school principal.  

Questions for principals:  

• If my child receives English language supports, can they still participate in other school programs?  
• What support will my child receive after they pass the English language test?  
• What happens if I do not want my child to get English language supports?  
• How will the school make sure my child is safe at school?  
• How will the school make sure my child will be included in school activities while also receiving English language supports?  

For more information on how to work with your child’s school, visit our Working Together with the School page. 

Download: Asking about the English Language Supports at Your Childʼs School (Word) or Asking about the English Language Supports at Your Childʼs School (PDF)