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Sheltered English Immersion

Norfolk utilizes a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) model to provide ELL services.  The model includes the following:

  • In-Class Support: Most services happen within the mainstream classroom. ELL and classroom teachers collaborate to ensure content is accessible.
  • Small Groups: Based on student’s English proficiency level, they may also be pulled out for targeted instruction with an ELL teacher.
  • Qualified Staff: All core academic teachers of English Learners must hold a state-mandated SEI Endorsement.

In accordance with the LOOK Act of 2017, parents have the right to request an alternative model of instruction.

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) Program
A two-component program model

Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI)

  • Taught by content-area licensed and SEI endorsed teacher
     
  • Access to grade-level content & development of discipline-specific academic language
     
  • Occurs throughout the day, and is designed for optimum EL engagement in content

English as a Second Language (ESL)

  • Taught by ESL-licensed teacher
     
  • Additional linguistic support ELs need delivered through systematic, explicit focus on language and literacy in the context of the Frameworks.
     
  • Occurs for a specific amount of time each day or week, as determined by school, according to student need