L2 Acquisition

ELL students may either be over-classified or under referred for special education services as their development in L2 acquisition may not be fully understood causing typical L2 development to perhaps be thought a learning disability or other special education issue. Thus it is beneficial for the ELL teacher to have an understanding of the special education referral process and the ELL specific information which must be considered.
This essay explores the state regulations and requirements for determining whether or not to refer an ELL student for special education assessment, special factors and issues involved in identifying if a problem stems from normal language acquisition or is a special education issue, steps in the referral process.
However, the sources listed below can be used by an ELL teacher as references for understanding practice, procedures, rules, and regulations concerning ELL and Special
Powerpoint (State of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Special Education, 2009) “A formal referral to special services is only justified after it has been determined that a child’s behavior and performance cannot be explained solely by language or cultural differences, the acculturation process or the learning environment. Determining whether or not children who are culturally and linguistically diverse should be referred to special services will require more than observing and testing the child in the classroom” (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Special Education,