English Language Learners

Livonia Public Schools follows the requirements as outlined by the Michigan Department of Education’s Entrance and Exit Protocol to determine English Learner (EL) program eligibility. Upon completion of the Home Language Survey, EL staff are notified that a student has registered with either a home or primary language other than English. This prompts EL staff to either identify the student’s previous school for WIDA ACCESS test records or to administer the WIDA Screener to that student. If the student’s scores qualify, he or she is automatically entered into EL programming.

Our K-6 students receive either designated or integrated English Language Development (ELD) instruction. This means the certified EL teacher either works with the student in small groups or on a one-on-one (designated) basis or pushes into the classroom for integrated content instruction support. Newcomer students or those who score between a 1.0-2.9 on the annual WIDA ACCESS test may receive additional support from our department’s highly-qualified EL paraprofessional.

There are a variety of ELD supports at the middle and high school levels depending on the student’s English language proficiency. Newcomer students who score a 1.0-2.9 are enrolled in our intensive English for academic purposes and ELD/English Language Arts course. This is a sheltered 2-hour block course. Other students are scheduled with a certified EL teacher during Mascot time (study seminar). EL teachers also push in and co-teach different classes, such as Geometry, U.S. History, and Biology. Push-in/co-taught support courses are based on student needs.

EL Support takes place in the student’s general education classroom, the EL teacher’s room or office, or another appropriate space in the school (e.g. computer lab, library). The secondary Newcomer class (a two-hour ELD/ELA block) is housed at Churchill High School. Students throughout the district that are enrolled in this class are transported by bus to Churchill and then transported to their home school for the remainder of their school day.

If you would like to waive English language support for your student, contact the EL teacher at your child’s school. The teacher will explain the support and programming offered to your student. At your request, the teacher will send home a waiver form that must be returned to the school. If you change your mind at any time, you may contact the teacher for program support.

It’s important to note that while parents and guardians may waive or opt-out of English language support for their student, they cannot opt-out of the annual language test, the WIDA ACCESS. This test is mandated by state and federal law.

Students are eligible to exit the EL program when they have met the Michigan Department of Education English Language proficiency criteria. As of 2025, the criteria in Michigan is that students score a 4.8 overall on the WIDA ACCESS test. This test, given in or around February each year, tests academic language in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Students who achieve this score are automatically exited from the EL program by the state of Michigan.

Once students have exited English language programming, they are monitored by the EL staff for four years to ensure they are making progress in school with grade-level content. Should there be concerns about a student’s progress, the EL teacher will consult with the classroom teachers to determine if language could be a factor.

The WIDA ACCESS and Alternate WIDA ACCESS tests are academic English Language proficiency assessments given every February or March in the state of Michigan. All students in the state of Michigan who qualify for EL programming are required to take this assessment.

Students are assessed in reading, listening, speaking and writing in English across all content areas. This means they are tested on the language required for success in school: the language of math, science, social studies, and language arts. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) but are enrolled in the general education program, will receive accommodations as needed.

Students in our center-based programs take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test. Some center-based students may be exempted from part of the test or the entire test if their IEP warrants this. For example, some hearing impaired students may be exempted from the listening portion of the test.

Since students exit EL programming by the state of Michigan, they will remain in EL programming if they move to another school district in the state. Upon enrolling your student in their new school in Michigan, the school will receive WIDA scores and information from his or her previous school. If your student exited the test and program, that will be noted. If they did not exit, they will be eligible for support. They will also continue to take the WIDA assessment until they meet Michigan’s exit score criteria.

Most other states in the United States also give the WIDA test. If you move to a different state, your student will fall under that state’s requirements. In general, if they have not passed the test in Michigan, they will still receive language support and be tested until they meet the criteria for the new state of residence.