English Learners

The Mississippi Department of Education honors and views language abilities as assets and values the many linguistic and cultural resources that our English learner students bring to the schools and classrooms of Mississippi.

Mississippi’s English Learner (EL) population is growing rapidly, with the state now serving more than 13,000 identified EL students. In response to this growth, as well as requests from districts new to serving EL students, we provide multiple resources for supporting English learners including: recorded webinars, guidance documents, and other resources designed to provide administrators, teachers, EL teachers and tutors, and other educators with information on how to effectively serve English learners and their families.

For questions regarding EL services, as well as requests for on-site large or small-group professional development, please email Sandy Elliott at selliott@mdek12.org. Check back often for new resources!

Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy

The purpose of the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy policy is to establish minimum criteria for Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in awarding Seals of Biliteracy.  For more information regarding the State Board Policy, Guidelines, and the process of awarding and recognizing students who are eligible to receive a Seal of Biliteracy, please visit the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy webpage.

Tools and Supports

   MS English Language Proficiency Standards

• Supports for EL Students with Limited or Inconsistent/Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
• Adapting Classroom Assessments for English Learners
• MS English Language Proficiency Standards
• MS English Language Proficiency Standards for ELs with Significant Cognitive Disabilities
• English Learner Parent Guide: English, Arabic, Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese
• English Learner Guidelines: Regulations, Funding Guidance and Instructional Supports
• EL Professional Development Request
• Language Service Plan
• MTSS Documentation Packet: Appendix C: Parent Reading Questionnaire (English and Spanish)
• Visual schedule
• NEW EL Course Codes
• NEW Las Links Second Edition Instructional Strategies 

Newcomer Kit

• NEW Newcomer Quick Guide for Administrators

Please SelectNewcomer Kit introductionNewcomer orientation plan templateCommunication cards for elementary studentsCommunication cards for secondary studentsFamily welcome sheetSentence stem cards

EL Webinars and Literacy Tips

• Literacy Focus of the Month
• Literacy Focus of the Month
• Literacy Focus of the Month
• Literacy Focus of the Month
• Literacy Focus of the Month
• Additional English Leaner Meetings and Webinars
• A Beginner’s Guide to Classroom Supports for English Learners

Family Guides for Student Success

• Family Guides for Student Success
• Family Guides for Student Success (Spanish versions)
• Family Guides for Student Success Training Materials