Tennessee: ELL Resources

As of the 2016-2017 school year, Tennessee’s schools were home to more than 43,000 English language learners. As of the 2014-2015 school year, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in Tennessee were Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Chinese, and Kurdish. (U.S. Dept. of Education, National Center for Education Statistics)
Tennessee is a member of WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment). 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: Tennessee Department of Education
ELL Websites:
ELP Standards & Assessment
ELP Standards: WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards
ELP Assessment: WIDA-ACCESS for ELLs
Statewide Standards-Based Assessment
Assessment: Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP)
Additional Information
NCELA: Title III Information
WIDA: Tennessee Contact Information
Common Core State Standards: Yes
ESSA: Tennesse ESSA State Plan
Statewide Organizations
Tennessee Education Association
Tennessee Education Association 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.
Support and Training for Exceptional Parents
STEP empowers parents through information, training and support to become effective partners with professionals in planning appropriate educational programs for their children.
TNTESOL's mission is to develop the expertise of its members and others involved in teaching English to speakers of other languages to help them foster effective communication in diverse settings while respecting individuals& language rights.
Tennessee 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 studi
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.