Ohio: English Language Learner (ELL) Resources
Ohio schools were home to more than 45,000 English Language Learners (ELLs), as of the 2012-2013 school year. That indicates a 77% increase from the 2002-2003 school year, as per the Migration Policy Institute in 2015. Currently, there are five most common spoken languages by ELLs in Ohio– Spanish, Japanese, Somali, Arabic, and Chinese.
Ohio State ELL Resources
State Agency: Ohio Department of Education
ELL Website: Limited English Proficient (LEP) Students
Lau Resource Center at the Ohio Department of Education
ELL Identification
Ohio State ELL Identification: Guidelines for the Identification and Assessment of Limited English Proficient Students
ELP Standards
ELP Standards: ELPA 21
ELL Instruction
Ohio LEP Students: Characteristics of Programs Serving LEP Students in Ohio
Statewide Assessment
Assessment: Ohio Testing Resources
ELL Accommodations: Accommodations on Ohio State Assessments
Additional 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.
Ohio TESOL
Ohio TESOL is the organization that represents teachers of ELLs in Kentucky. This organization promotes excellence in education for ELLs and a professional environment for TESOL teachers.
Ohio State Education Association
The Ohio 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.
Ohio Family Resource Center on Disabilities
The Ohio Family Resource Center on Disabilities (PIRC) offers parents of children with disabilities a variety of programs, resources, and information to increase parent involvement and improve the student success rate.
Ohio: Seal of Biliteracy
In 2017, Ohio 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