Missouri: ELL Resources

Map of Missouri

As of the 2016-2017 school year, Missouri’s schools were home to more than 29,500 English language learners. As of the 2014-2015 school year, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in Missouri were Spanish, Arabic, Bosnian, Vietnamese, and Somali. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)

Missouri 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: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

ELL Website: English Language Learners (ELL)

ELP Standards & Assessment

ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards

ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs

Statewide Standards-Based Assessment

Assessment: Missouri Assessment Program (MAP)

Additional Information

NCELA: Title III Information

WIDA: Missouri Contact Information

Common Core State Standards: Yes

ESSA: Missouri ESSA State Plan

Statewide Organizations

AFT-Missouri

AFT-Missouri is a statewide affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers that is committed to protecting the employment rights of our members, building support for Missouri&s public schools, and improving educational opportunities for all children.

Mid-America TESOL

MIDTESOL serves mid-America teachers of English from Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri to speakers of other languages.

Missouri NEA

Missouri NEA is a National Education Association State Affiliate that regularly lobbies legislators for the resources schools need, campaigns for higher professional standards for the teaching profession, and files legal actions to protect academic freedom and the rights of school employees.

Missouri Parents Act

The MPACT mission is to empower families to advocate for themselves so that children with special educational needs can reach their full potential in education and life – through support, training, and education.

Missouri: Seal of Biliteracy

Missouri has adopted the Seal of Biliteracy.  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.

 

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.