The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) ensures educational equity and access for English learners (ELs) through high-quality language instruction. We support local educational agencies (LEAs) as they develop, implement and evaluate research-based language instruction education programs for English learners to attain English proficiency and achieve state academic content standards. We facilitate academic excellence for English learners by promoting professional development, providing technical assistance, administering state and federal language education programs, and establishing measures of accountability.

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Multilingual and English Learner Education - Student Instruction COVID-19 Resources

Minnesota Standardized English Learner Procedures

• Identification, Entrance and Exit Overview Flowchart
• English Learner Identification
  • Minnesota Language Survey Administration
  • Screening for English Language Proficiency
• English Language Development Program Entrance and Continuing English Learner Eligibility
  • Writing Rubric for Minnesota Test of Emerging Academic English (TEAE)
  • Minnesota Modified Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (MN SOLOM)
• English Learner Exit
  • Exit Chart
  • Additional Criteria Decision Tree

Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and World Language Proficiency Certificates

• Language Access - 4/14/21
  Language access is a civil right. This document describes language access rights to parents and clarifies language access responsibilities for schools and districts.
• Assessments for Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and World Language Proficiency Certificates - 10/13/20
  Guidance on the aligned assessments you can use to demonstrate world language proficiency for issuing bilingual and multilingual seals and world language certificates.
• Identifying Students for English Learner Status During Distance Learning - 9/30/20
  
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•  - 9/18/20
  
•  - 9/14/20
  
• English Language Development Staffing Requirements - 9/3/20
  
• English Learners in Minnesota Report - 7/28/20
  
• Form to Request World Language Proficiency Certificates and Seals - 6/3/20
  
• Guidance for Using Distance Learning for English Learner Programming - 3/23/20
  
• Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) to Support English Language Development  - 6/7/19
  Stakeholders requested a list of EBPs to be used by districts and schools when selecting one or more practices for implementation in their school improvement plans. Use of this list is most effective if it is part of an overall continuous improvement process informed by a common needs assessment focused on your multilingual learner population. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
• Introduction to Immigration Law for Districts and Charter Schools - 6/7/19
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - 4/22/19
  The handbook describes and explains the public school system in Minnesota and the role families can play in their child’s education. It is a practical guide to help parents or guardians understand their student’s rights as well as the opportunities and resources available to the families and students. Note: The section on Immunizations has been updated to include exemption information.
• Minnesota English Learner Funding - 8/20/18
  This chapter outlines relevant laws, policies and procedures related to state and federal funding sources which support quality programming and services for English learners.
• English Language Proficiency Definition - 5/25/18
  
• Recently Arrived English Learners - 12/21/17
  
• ACCESS 2.0 and EL Proficiency FAQ - 5/10/17
  
• Minnesota Language Education Delivery Frameworks - 6/9/16