Virginia: English Language Learner (ELL) Resources
Virginia schools were home to more than 99,000 English Language Learners (ELLs), as of the 2012-2013 school year. That indicates a 101% 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 Virginia – Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Urdu, and Arabic.
Virginia State ELL Resources
State Agency: Virginia Department of Education
ELL Website: English as a Second Language (ESL)
Title III: Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and
ELP Standards & Assessment
ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs
Virginia ELP Assessment Resources
Statewide Standards-Based Assessment
Assessment: Virginia State Department of Education Standards of Learning (SOL)
ELL Accommodations: Limited English Proficient Students: Guidelines for Participation in the Virginia State Assessment Program (2017)
Additional Information
Virginia WIDA: Virginia 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.
Virginia TESOL
VATESOL is the organization that represents teachers of ELLs in Virginia. This organization promotes excellence in education for ELLs and a professional environment for TESOL teachers.
Virginia State Education Association
The Virginia 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.
Virginia Family Resource Center on Disabilities
The Virginia 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.
Virginia: Seal of Biliteracy
In 2015, Virginia 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