How should participation decisions be made for ELLs with disabilities?
For ELLs who have an IEP or 504 plan, assessment decisions usually are made by a school-based decision-making team. In these cases, it is important that an English as a Second Language or bilingual education professional serve on the IEP team or 504 plan committee so that decisions take into account both the student’s disability and language learning needs. Many states have guidelines that address participation decisions for either ELLs or students with disabilities. Some states have participation guidelines specifically for ELLs with disabilities. If specific guidelines for ELLs with disabilities do not exist, decision makers must use both the guidelines for students with disabilities and the guidelines for ELLs. States should work toward developing specific decision-making criteria for ELLs with disabilities; such guidelines will make it easier for decision makers who must know both the criteria and the student (e.g., strengths, weaknesses, instructional program, first and second lan
