EL Update
March 24th, 2025
Need to Know
- Stay informed with helpful newsletters - The 74 | JNCL | IDRA
- April 17th - Effectively Working with Interpreters with Refugee Education Center staff, $0, 9am - 12pm
- K-12 Dive article on EO to close the education department
25/26 Resources
- MDE English Learner Instruction Models
- Enrollment forms for 25/26 need to be updated with the new Home Language Survey
Resources & Events
- WIDA Theme Generator - apply by March 24th
- Sun Bucks - summer EBT program, click for more information ***families who may have moved need to update their address with DHHS / MiBridges to receive their card***
- Blog Post - Preparing Newcomers for Weather Emergencies (note: Kent Co begins testing sirens the first F of the month at noon in April)
- May 17th, 1pm - 3pm Mobility Replace / Repair Day (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.)
- NEW Grand Rapids, Wyoming, and Kentwood - Path to Health / Camino a la Salud is a new in home healthcare and visiting program through Exalta Health - click to read more
- April 17th - Effective Working with Interpreters with Refugee Education Center staff
WIDA & Spring Testing Updates
- 2025 WIDA List of Important Dates
- WIDA 2025 testing window now - April 4th
- Complete the Material Inventory and Accountability Form in WIDA AMS
- WIDA Labeling / Bubbling document
- All materials must be returned to DRC by April 14th
- April 28th - Accountable Students & Demographics Review opens in OEAA Secure Site
- You should see EL students expected to test and enrolled through April 4th
- You should not see EL students who exited / left your school or district
- You can submit enrollment or exit records in MSDS using SRM
- Student info incorrect? Submit corrections in MSDS using SRM
- What's an SRM? Student Record Maintenance - this allows for individual updates to student's records in MSDS - your Pupil Accountant typically does this
- May 28th - June 4th - Answer Documents Received window in OEAA Secure Site
- How to see new student's assessment scores in OEAA
- Supports and Accommodations Guidance for Spring 2025 is available (p 6)
- CB EL Supports - translated test directions, approved list of word to word glossaries
- 1st Year Exemption for ELs - students within their first 12 months of US schools can be exempted from the ELA portions of state testing - must be marked as EL in MSDS and must have either a WIDA Screener score or WIDA score for the current year
- CB Math Only - see page 6 of the recent Spotlight for information on this
Seal of Biliteracy Testing
- Both GVSU and WMU are offering testing for the Seal of Biliteracy
- GVSU will pay for the test and provide a boxed lunch for students, costs for schools include transportation and possibly parking
- GVSU has multiple dates to choose from - use this form
EL Update
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