Reclassify English learners using criteria grounded in the federal EL definition, without requiring minimum content-assessment performance for exit¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The paper recommends conceptualizing reclassification criteria using the federal definition of an EL, addressing the linguistic contribution to academic performance and societal participation "while not requiring a minimum level of performance on an academic content assessment for exit". It recommends studies relating ELP assessment results to academic outcomes on Smarter Balanced, PARCC, and stand-alone states' summative assessments, plus standardized rubrics or rating scales to support and standardize local criteria for classroom participation and societal participation.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

Empirical demonstration that meeting multiple criteria addressing the ELP dimensions of the federal EL definition removes linguistic barriers to meeting expectations
Studies conducted over time using empirical data from several states

Constraints¶

Several states have laws requiring the use of state academic achievement measures in exit decisions, which the paper notes as a challenge
The societal-participation dimension is currently the least operationalized aspect of the federal LEP definition

Target Learners¶

K-12 English learners approaching reclassification to former-EL status

Target Learning Goals¶

English proficiency sufficient to succeed without specialized linguistic and academic support services

Affordances¶

Four Stage Common El Definition Framework

Claims¶

Consider policy design carefully to ensure equitable reclassification opportunities for EL students

Examples¶

Key Sources¶

Linquanti, R., & Cook, H. G. (2013). Toward a "Common Definition of English Learner": Guidance for States and State Assessment Consortia in Defining and Addressing Policy and Technical Issues and Options. Council of Chief State School Officers. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED565753

Page metadata

Field	Value
`type`	`strategy`
`id`	`federal-definition-grounded-reclassification-criteria`
`title`	`Reclassify English learners using criteria grounded in the federal EL definition, without requiring minimum content-assessment performance for exit`
`description`	`The paper recommends conceptualizing reclassification criteria using the federal definition of an EL, addressing the linguistic contribution to academic performance and societal participation "while not requiring a mi...`
`status`	`review`
`generated`	by `process:wiki-ingest` on `2026-10-09`
`trust`	unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
`sources`	1 — `linquanti-2013`

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