The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) ensures educational equity and access for English learners (ELs) through high-quality language instruction. We support local educational agencies (LEAs) as they develop, implement and evaluate research-based language instruction education programs for English learners to attain English proficiency and achieve state academic content standards. We facilitate academic excellence for English learners by promoting professional development, providing technical assistance, administering state and federal language education programs, and establishing measures of accountability.

Multilingual and English Learner Education - Student Instruction COVID-19 Resources

Minnesota Standardized English Learner Procedures

• Identification, Entrance and Exit Overview Flowchart (IEEOF)
• IEEOF for ELsWD
• IEEOF for Students who Participate in the Alternate ACCESS
• English Learner Identification
  • Minnesota Language Survey Administration
  • Screening for English Language Proficiency
• English Language Development Program Entrance and Continuing English Learner Eligibility
  • Writing Rubric for Minnesota Test of Emerging Academic English (TEAE)
  • Minnesota Modified Student Oral Language Observation Matrix (MN SOLOM)
• English Learner Exit
  • Exit Chart
  • Additional Criteria Decision Tree (ACDT)
  • ACDT for Students who Participate in the Alternate ACCESS
  • ACDT for ELsWD who Cannot Complete All Four Domains of ACCESS
• Monitoring the Academic Progress of Former English Learners

Students with ASL and English Learner Status

Through the resources of the Minnesota Commission of the Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing (MNCDHH), we created a captioned video with ASL interpretation covering frequently asked questions about Minnesota students with ASL and English learner status. View the frequently asked questions video and/or a DeafBlind-friendly version on the MNCDHH YouTube channel.

Minnesota Bilingual and Multilingual Seals and World Language Proficiency Certificates

Minnesota districts and charter schools may award Minnesota bilingual and multilingual seals and world language proficiency certificates to certain high school students upon their graduation. These students are in grades 10, 11 or 12 and demonstrate the required levels of language proficiency on languages other than English, including American Sign Language (ASL) and American Indian (indigenous) languages. Minnesota State (formerly MnSCU) will award college credit to enrolling students with bilingual and multilingual seals and world language proficiency certificates. Students must request college credit within three academic years of graduation from high school and upon enrollment in a Minnesota State college or university.
 
 

 

•  - 3/26/24
  Approved and qualified assessments you can use to demonstrate world language proficiency for issuing bilingual and multilingual seals and world language certificates.
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Oromo - 3/1/24
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Amharic - 12/6/23
  
• 2022-23 English Learners in Minnesota Report - 11/28/23
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Somali - 10/26/23
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Karen - 10/26/23
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Spanish - 9/6/23
  
• Form to Request World Language Proficiency Certificates and Seals - 9/5/23
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - Ukranian - 9/1/23
  
• MEGS Timeline for McKinney Vento Continuation Grant SY24 - 5/12/23
  
• Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP) Plan - Example with Guidance - 5/2/23
  
• Title III, Part A Language Instruction for English Learners Eligible Activities - 4/14/23
  This document provides an overview of the purposes of Title III, a summary of cost principles and a list of activities that are eligible and ineligible activities for Title III.
• Ukrainian Enrollment in Minnesota Schools - Ukrainian Translation - 4/4/23
  
• Reclassification Process for Students Who Cannot Take All Domains of ACCESS - 3/15/23
  
• A Parent or Guardian's Guide to School - 2/6/23
  The handbook describes and explains the public school system in Minnesota and the role families can play in their child’s education. It is a practical guide to help parents or guardians understand their student’s rights as well as the opportunities and resources available to the families and students. Note: The section on Immunizations has been updated to include exemption information.
• Ukrainian Enrollment in Minnesota Schools - 11/23/22
  
• Implementation Guidelines for the Minnesota Bilingual Seals Program - 9/22/22
  
•  - 9/9/22
  This document contains helpful resources and guidance in regards to awarding high school credit based on language proficiency demonstrated through assessment including assessments taken for Minnesota Bilingual Seals and World Language Proficiency Certificate.
• Recently Arrived English Learners (RAEL) Definition - 5/2/22
  
•  - 9/29/21
  
• Language Access - 4/14/21
  Language access is a civil right. This document describes language access rights to parents and clarifies language access responsibilities for schools and districts.
•  - 9/29/20
  
•  - 9/18/20
  
•  - 9/14/20
  
• English Language Development Staffing Requirements - 9/3/20
  
• Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) to Support English Language Development  - 6/7/19
  Stakeholders requested a list of EBPs to be used by districts and schools when selecting one or more practices for implementation in their school improvement plans. Use of this list is most effective if it is part of an overall continuous improvement process informed by a common needs assessment focused on your multilingual learner population. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.
• Introduction to Immigration Law for Districts and Charter Schools - 6/7/19
  
• English Language Proficiency Definition - 5/25/18