English Learners

P.O. Box 202501 • Helena, MT 59620-2501

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English Learners

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English Learners (ELs)/Multilingual Learners (MLs)

Supporting high-quality instruction designed to serve linguistically and culturally diverse students


 

All students deserve equitable access to education. Federal law requires schools to identify English learners and provide them with language instruction to ensure “a meaningful opportunity to participate in educational programs.”

This page is designed to support families of English learners and Multilingual learners in our state.  Language is a powerful tool for connection and growth, here, you will find resources, tips, and information to help you engage with your child's education and support their language development.

WIDA Mission, Vision, and Values

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Family engagement image

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Live Accordion

Family and Community Engagement

Family Toolkits

  • Family Toolkit (English)
    • Tip Sheets for chapters 1-6
  • Family Toolkit (Spanish)
    • Tip Sheets for chapters 1-6 (Spanish)
  • Family Toolkit (Arabic)
  • Family Toolkit (Chinese)
English Learner Toolkits
  • English Learner Toolkit
Family Resources
  • Advice for Parent-Teacher Conferences
  • Accessible U.S. School System Brochure
  • U.S. School System Brochure
  • Module 7: ELs/MLs Family and Student Rights  
    • Handout: Checklist for Meaningful Communication with LEP Parents 
    • Handout: Communicating with Parents Reflection Tool 
    • Fact Sheet 1: Ensuring EL Students Can Participate Meaningfully and Equally in Educational Programs 
    • Fact Sheet 2: Information for LEP Parents and for Schools/Districts that Communicate with them
    • Fact Sheet 3- Rights When Enrolling in School 
    • Handout: Important Landmark Cases 
  • Engaging EL/ML Families Toolkit  
  • Explaining EL Status (English)
  • Explaining EL Status (Spanish) 
  • Explaining EL Status (German)
  • Explaining EL Status (Chinese)
  • Explaining EL Status (Russian) 
Recursos Familiares en españ ol
  • Kit de Herramientas para las Familias de Estudiantes de Inglés
  • Asegurar que los estudiantes aprendices del inglés participen de forma significative y equitativa en programas educativos
  • Información para padres y tutores con dominio limitado del idioma inglés y para las escuelas y distritos escolares que se comunican con ellos 
  • Derechos de los padres y guardians de los estudiantes que aprenden inglés como nuevo idioma en el estado de Montana
  • Consejos para conferencias de padres y maestro
  • Consejos generals para padres  
  • Recursos para familias sin hogar
 

Reading Resources 

  • Reading Tips Sheets for Parents in Multiple Languages  
  • Helping Your Child to Read  
  • Ayudar a sus hijos a aprender a leer  
  • Literacy Guides for Parents  
  • Literacy Checklist for Home

 

Resources for Learning English for the Family

  • Voice of America: Learning English for Kids and Adults  
  • BBC: Learning English  
  • Stories for Kids in English

Website - Colorín Colorado

Website - Colorín Colorado (English)

Colorín Colorado is the premier national website serving educators and families of English language learners (ELLs) in Grades PreK-12. Colorín Colorado has been providing free research-based information, activities, and advice to parents, schools, and communities around the country for more than a decade.

  • For Families
  • Books and Authors
  • School Support
  • Videos
  • Additional resources

 

El Sitio Web - Colorín Colorado (Spanish)

Colorín Colorado es el principal sitio web nacional que presta servicio a maestros y familias de estudiantes del idioma inglés (ELLs) de los grados PreK-12. Por más de una década Colorín Colorado ha ofrecido información basada en la investigación, actividades y consejos para padres, escuelas y comunidades de todo el país.

  • Para las familias
  • Libros y autores
  • Apoyo escolar
  • Videos
  • Más recursos

Cultural and Native Language Resources

Seal of Biliteracy - website link HERE

Information from the Board of Education's webpage:

  • Seal of Biliteracy FAQ's 
  • Seal of Biliteracy Info Sheet
  • Seal of Biliteracy Parent/Student Flyer

 

Cultural Resources

  • Multicultural Children’s Books
  • Multicultural Stories from Around the World
  • Head Start: The Importance of Native Languages  
  • Children’s Library: Free Online Books in Multiple Languages
  • National Endowment for the Humanities: Hispanic Heritage and History  
  • PBS Spanish Learning Tools

 

Native American/American Indian ELs

  • Audra Waite and Jacie L. Jeffers (Billings): Best Practices for American Indian ELs  
  • Documentary: Why Save a Language
  • Indian Education Classroom Resources  
  • Indian Education Videos

 

Guidance, Title III, and Forms

WIDA English Language Development Standards (2020)

  • WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework, 2020 Edition K-12

 

Forms

  • CURRENT Montana Home Language Survey (2/2025)
  • CURRENT Montana Home Language Survey SPANISH (2/2025)
  • All State-Approved Forms, Parental Notifications and Available Translations

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Title III Grant Information

  • Purpose of Title III
  • Title III FAQs

 

Emergency Immigrant Information

  • Emergency Immigrant Education Program
  • Title III Emergency Immigrant Recipients

Assessment

WIDA Resources

  • Preparing for ACCESS Testing
  • ACCESS for ELLs Scores and Reports  
  • Interpretive Guide for ACCESS Score Reports
  • Webinar: WIDA Screeners  
  • Webinar: ACCESS for ELLs

 

EL Accessibility Resources

  • Designated Supports for ELs on Math, ELA, and Science Assessments
  • Designated Supports for ELs on ACT

 

English Learners and Special Education

English Learners and Special Education

  • IEP Translation by OSEP
  • English Learners with Disabilities Infographic

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OPI Staff are here to help:

Serena Wright, English Learner Specialist, 406-410-4098

 

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