In our district the term English language learner (ELL) includes
mostly adopted children from other countries who range from non-
English speakers to fluent English speakers. However, ELLs can
include a wide range of students including those who have come
with family members. Some may be immigrants who are non-English
proficient (NEP), they may have limited English proficiency
(LEP), or they may have been born in this country but come from
homes where a language other than English is spoken. Some ELLs
may be fluent speakers of English but have not yet become
proficient in reading and writing. As a result of the No Child
Left Behind Act (NCLB), students who are limited English
proficient are closely monitored by state and federal agencies
by annual English language proficiency testing (ACCESS) and by
annual academic state testing (NECAP). Students are considered
proficient when they can compete with their native English
speaking peers in all English instruction and have scored fluent
in all areas of the languag