Identification, Reclassification, and Monitoring of English Learners

To provide accessible instruction to English learners, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and state law require all public school districts to implement uniform entrance, reclassification, and monitoring procedures. Districts can use the resources below to better understand and meet these requirements.  

Identification of English Learners 

• Identifying English Learners  outlines identification and family notification requirements for schools and districts in accordance with federal law. 
• English Learner Identification Frequently Asked Questions helps districts and schools understand the Language Usage Survey, screening, and parent notification requirements. 
• Identifying Young Dual Language Learners provides information on identifying English learners in preschool.
• The Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS) is aligned to the English Language Proficiency Standards and is designed to identify Ohio students in grades K-12 as English learners. 
• Parent Notification Procedures for English Learner Identification and Services is a resource to support schools and districts in meeting the notification requirements for English learners. 
• Enrolling Your Child in Ohio provides resources in multiple languages to guide families through the school enrollment process, including completing the Language Usage Survey, asking about school programs, and becoming part of the school community.  

Reclassification of English Learners 

• The Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) is the state’s annual summative assessment, which provides documentation of English learners’ progress toward English proficiency. 
• Frequently Asked Questions about the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) answers questions relating to the required yearly English language proficiency assessment.   
• The Alternate Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (Alt-OELPA) measures the English language proficiency of eligible English learners with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades K-12. 
• English Learner Exit Criteria explains how assessment results determine whether the student is eligible to continue as an English learner or is proficient and ready to exit the language-instruction program.   

Monitoring English Learners

• Monitoring English Learners provides information on monitoring requirements for current and former English learners. 
• Chapter eight of the U.S. Department of Education's English Learner Toolkit explains the importance of monitoring students even if they opt out of English learner programs.

Related Resources 

• Creating, Enhancing, and Sustaining an English Learner Program 
• U.S. Department of Education: English Learner Toolkit

Last Modified: 2/21/2025 10:28:58 AM

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