Georgia: English Language Learner (ELL) Resources
Georgia schools were home to more than 94,000 English Language Learners (ELLs), as of the 2012-2013 school year. That indicates a 33% increase from the 2002-2003 school year, as per the Migration Policy Institute in 2015. Currently, there are four most common spoken languages by ELLs in Georgia – Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, and Chinese.
Georgia State ELL Resources
State Agency: Georgia State Department of Education (GaDOE)
ELL Website: ESOL Website
ELL Identification
Placement Exam: WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)
ELP Standards & Assessment
ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs
Statewide Standards-Based Assessment
Assessment: Criterion-Referenced Competency Tests (CRCT)
Additional Information
Title III Information: Title III Guide
Georgia WIDA: Georgia WIDA Contact Information
National Clearing House for English Language Acquisition (NCELA): Title III Information
Statewide Resources
Lectura Books
Lectura Books is the go-to source for bilingual books and culturally relevant family reading programs.
The Latino Literacy Project
The Latino Family Literacy Project is known for its award-winning parent involvement programs for Spanish speaking parents.
Georgia TESOL
Georgia TESOL is the organization that represents teachers of ELLs in Virginia. This organization promotes excellence in education for ELLs and a professional environment for TESOL/ESL/EFL teachers.
Georgia State Education Association
The Georgia State Education Association is part of the National Education Association state affiliate program. This national program lobbies legislators for resources needed in schools. Additionally, they campaign for higher professional teacher standards and file legal actions to protect academic freedom and school employee rights.
Georgia Family Resource Center on Disabilities
The Georgia Family Resource Center on Disabilities (PIRC-PEATC – Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) offers parents of children with disabilities a variety of programs, resources, and information to increase parent involvement and improve the student success rate.
Georgia: Seal of Biliteracy
In 2016, Georgia adopted the Seal of Biliteracy to promote bilingual pride. The Seal of Biliteracy encourages students to be biliterate and aid schools in promoting bilingualism by granting seals and medals. The organization has an award, which recognizes students who have studied and reached proficiency in two or more languages by the time they graduate high school.
Note: Regulations change from time to time. These resources and guidelines were complied in July 2018. If you see that something needs to be updated, please send an email to _____. For more detailed information regarding ELL guidelines and policies at the state and federal levels, please refer to the following:
Federal Regulations Regarding English Language Learners (ELLs)
Migration Policy Institute: ELL Information Center