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MLs & Special Education

Click the button to request a language consultation

Gov. tool kit-Tools and Resources for Addressing English Learners With Disabilities

We are required to follow State and Federal Laws when referring a Multilingual Learner for SpEd. Work with Language & Culture Services to make sure your school is in compliance.

Do you have an ML student who you think may need special ed testing? Or who you notice is struggling significantly? Click the button above to set up a consultation with your language teacher specialist.  They can help set up language-focused RTI by looking at the student's background and working with you throughout the RTI process so that, as a team, we can determine if the student needs special ed testing or just some focused interventions to help them get on track with school.

Pre-Referral Process for MLs Flowchart

Parent Request for Referral Flowchart


Response to Intervention (RtI)

  1. Teachers reach out to LCS Teacher Specialist as soon as there is a concern about a Multilingual Learner (ML) not making appropriate success. If a student has a pink "L" on Skyward, LCS must be involved, even if the newest Home Language Survey says English.
  2. LCS will proctor a consultation to make an individual plan for the ML and choose language interventions.
  3. Teachers gather data based on language interventions chosen with LCS.
  4. LCS meets with teachers to discuss the results of RtI.
  5. Repeat as needed.

If Testing is Needed After RtI

  1. LCS Team will notify SpEd Teacher, General Ed Teacher, and the Bilingual Psychologists that testing is needed.
  2. LCS will add student's name to our "On Deck" document, where a bilingual psychologist will be assigned to the student's case.
  3. School SpEd Teacher emails bilingual psychologists for guidance and support on how to proceed.
  4. General Ed Teachers continue RtI process.
  5. School Team meets with parents/guardians and bilingual psychologists to discuss the data. If all agree, parents sign a "Consent to Test."
  6. Bilingual Psychologist begins testing. S/he will first do the Woodcock in English and Spanish. If students do well in Spanish, they do the Celf and TAPS tests in Spanish. If the student does not know Spanish during the Woodcock, they stop testing and let schools do the rest in English, even if that student does not know English. Bilingual Psychologists do not do Unit 2 or WNV because these are nonverbal.
  7. The bilingual Psychologist will notify the school team once testing is completed in Spanish. Testing will continue by the school team.
  8. Results are gathered.
  9. The school team and bilingual psychologist meet with parents and student to discuss the test results and make a final suggestion.
  10. Re-evaluations do not need to go through LCS IF second language acquisition has already been ruled out during previous testing. Email your bilingual psychologist to find out.

Bilingual Psychologists

Monica Amador

Angie Mar Velez Matias (intern)

Vidal Rojas Mazzenett