English Learners

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MTSS and English Learners (ELs)

There are over 61,000 ELs who speak more than 200 different languages in Pennsylvania. The five most spoken languages are Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Nepali, and Vietnamese.

It is the responsibility of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to provide a program for each student whose dominant language is not English for the purpose of facilitating the student's achievement of English proficiency and the academic standards under § 4.12 (relating to academic standards). Programs under this section shall include appropriate bilingual-bicultural or English as a second language (ESL) instruction (22 Pa. Code § 4.26).

PaTTAN provides technical assistance, training, and resources to support educators, students, and their families/communities focusing on ELs within a MTSS framework.

Request English Learner Supports Guidance on Interpreters, Translators, and Cultural Liaisons

State law requires local education agencies (LEAs) to provide all important information to parents who are not proficient in English in a language or mode of communication that they understand. See 22 Pa. Code §4.26 and Educating English Learners (ELs) Basic Education Circular

Letter from the U.S. Education Department's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) RE: Written clarification on issues affecting English Learners with disabilities

OSEP Letter to Timothy Boals, 11-15-21 (PDF) (ed.gov)