Schools must submit English Language Backgrounds (ELB) for students to EIS as a requirement of State reporting.  The attached document details how schools can review the ELB status of their students and make corrections if they identify problems.  


The chart below includes descriptions of common ELB classifications:


Letter Label Description
L English Language Learner Students whose first language is not English and who qualify for the services of an English as a Second Language “ESL” teacher.
N Non-English Language Background Students whose first language is not English, and NEVER qualified for the services of an ESL teacher.
E English Native A student whose primary or native language is English.
1 Transitional 1 The first year after attaining proficiency in English (composite level score of 4 or 5 on the state’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) exam (ELDA)).
2 Transitional 2 The second year after attaining proficiency in English (composite level score of 4 or 5 on the state’s English Language Proficiency (ELP) exam (ELDA)).
F Former ELL Student A student attains Former English Language Learner (F) status upon completion of the second transitional year.
W Waived ELL Services A student whose first language is not English, who qualifies for the services of an English as a Second Language “ESL” teacher and chooses not to receive ESL services is classified as waived ELL services. For students under the age of 18, the decision to waive services is reserved for parents (in almost all cases). Emancipated youth and students 18 years or older have the right to waive ESL services. The classification code for students who initially receive ELL services but later waive them before attaining proficiency changes from L to W.