Through professional learning, collaboration, and coaching, we aim to improve student learning using highly effective instructional practices. Additionally, we are here to support our LEA partners with building and sustaining healthy systems and language instruction educational programs to serve their English learners (ELs) and families. Currently, Central Rivers AEA has over 4,000 ELs who speak more than 60 languages! As the number of ELs increases in our classrooms and districts, Central Rivers AEA is here to serve you!
Guidance & Resources
- English Learner Tool Kit (Office of English Language Acquisition)
- Dear Colleague Letter (US Department of Education and US Department of Justice)
- Schools’ Civil Rights Obligations to English Learners (Office of Civil Rights)
- Developing Programs for ELs: Plan Development (OCR)
- Iowa Department of Education EL website
Professional Organizations
- Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
- Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- National Clearinghouse of English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
- National Association of Bilingual Education (NABE)
English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st-Century
The English Language Proficiency Assessment for the 21st Century is a required state assessment given to all identified English learners K-12. The ELPA21 summative assessment is administered annually to assess growth and determine eligibility for continued placement or exit from the program. The ELPA21 summative measures language proficiency based on the English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards.
For further details visit:
English Language Proficiency (ELP) Standards
English Language Proficiency Standards have been adopted by the Iowa State Board of Education for grades K-12. These standards correspond to knowledge about language and the skills of using language that are necessary for English Learners’ success in the Iowa Core. Standards within the grade bands are differentiated by proficiency level. You can find further details on the Iowa Department of Education webpage.
Accessing the ELP Standards Training Modules
There are six English Language Proficiency Standards training modules. The Trainings for Schools document will provide you with directions on how to access the modules and the content.
LAU Plan
The Lau Plan is named after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1974 decision in Lau v. Nichols to ensure that all students have equal access and that identical education does not constitute equal education under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Public and nonpublic schools must keep an updated, accurate and compliant Lau Plan on file and available for review upon request.
For further details, visit the Iowa DE Lau Plan webpage.