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Emergent Bilingual (English Learner)

Seal of Biliteracy    

“The Oklahoma Seal of Biliteracy is a credential bestowed by the Oklahoma State Department of Education to recognize and honor high school students who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. The Seal of Biliteracy is available to any student who is able to demonstrate biliteracy in English and another language at the Intermediate-Mid or Advanced-Low level. The recognition for attaining biliteracy becomes part of the high school transcript and recognizes the student’s readiness for career, college and engagement as a global citizen.” (OSDE)

To learn how to earn your Seal of Biliteracy, click HERE.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ms. Nicole Amzycki
EL and Testing Coordinator
nmamzycki@whisd.org

Mrs. Erin Clapper
Director of Federal Programs/ESSER
emclapper@whisd.org 

TItle III Parent NIght

October 25th, 2022 - 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Bridgestone Intermediate Center
Learn more about our EL program at Western Heights

English Flier
Spanish Flier
Dari Flier
Tagalog Flier
Urdu Flier
Vietnamese Flier

Explaining EL (Emergent Bilingual) Status

Arabic
Dari
Urdu
Vietnamese
Tagalog
Spanish
English

What is an Emergent Bilingual (EB)?

  • Between the ages of 3 and 21
  • Enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary or secondary school
  • Not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English
  • Comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual's level of English language proficiency
  • Has difficulties in speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language sufficiently so it denies the individual: 1.  the ability to meet the state's proficient level of achievement on state assessments; 2.  the ability to successfully achieve in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; a,d 3. the opportunity to participate fully in society.

*Source: Federal Public Law 107-110, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Title IXGeneral Provisions, Part A Definitions, Section 9101 (25)

How are Emergent Bilingual students identified?

Students who meet the criteria of EB are identified through the Home Language Survey completed at the time of enrollment. 

Once identified, how does an EB student exit the program? 

Once a student is identified as EB/LEP, he or she cannot exit the program until achieving FEP (Full English Proficiency) on the ACCESS for EB test

What happens when a student exits the program? 

Once a student passes the ACCESS test he/she will be monitored for two years.  The EB teacher will communicate with the student's classroom teachers to check on the student's academic progress.  If needed, additional supports may be considered.  Once a student exits the EB program, accommodations on standardized tests can no longer be afforded.