Minnesota: ELL Resources

As of the 2016-2017 school year, Minnesota’s schools were home to more than 72,000 English language learners. As of the 2014-2015 school year, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in Minnesota were Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Karen languages, and Vietnamese. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
Minnesota is a member of WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment), joining in 2010. WIDA is a consortium of states dedicated to the design and implementation of high standards and equitable educational opportunities for English language learners which offers states programming for identifying and annually assessing the English language development of its English learners.
State ELL Resources
State Agency: Minnesota Department of Education
ELL Website: Minnesota English Learners
ELP Standards & Assessment
ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs
Statewide Standards-Based Assessment
Assessment: Statewide Testing Information
Additional Information
NCELA: Title III Information
WIDA: Minnesota Contact Information
Common Core State Standards: Adopted the CCSS English Language Arts Standards but not the Math Standards (see more information on the K-12 Academic Standards Page)
ESSA: Minnesota ESSA State Plan
Statewide Organizations
Education Minnesota is the largest advocate for public education in the state and an affiliate of the National Education Association, the American Federation of Teachers, and AFL-CIO.
The Minnesota Humanities Center conducts professional development opportunities; creates and disseminates educational resources; partners with other organizations to offer humanities programs statewide; and operates a full-service meeting and event center.
PACER provides individual assistance, workshops, publications, and other resources to help families make decisions about education and other services for their child or young adult with disabilities.
MinneTESOL is a professional association of teachers of English as a Second Language in Minnesota and neighboring states dedicated to the education and support of students acquiring English at all levels of public and private education.
Minnesota adopted the Seal of Biliteracy in 2014. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by a school, district, or state in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation.
Do Good Roseville is a community organization that makes connections – to share ideas and information – in order to do things that have a positive impact in the community of Roseville, Minnesota.
Note: Regulations change with time. These guidelines were compiled in January of 2012 and updated in January 2020. If you see something that needs updating, please send an e-mail to Colorín Colorado. For more detailed information regarding ELL guidelines and policies at the state and federal levels, please see the following:
References
National Center for Education Statistics. (2018.) English language learner (ELL) students enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools, by state: Selected years, fall 2000 through fall 2016.
U.S. Department of Education. Our Nation’s English Learners. Most Common Non-English Languages Spoken by English Learners.