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Milan Area Schools’ single English-learner specialist describes testing, supports and Seal of Biliteracy gains
Summary
English learner interventionist Jen Sailor told trustees the district identifies EL students via a home-language survey and WIDA ACCESS testing, provides classroom and translation supports, uses Title III funds for family experiences, and has awarded multiple Seals of Biliteracy across languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Wolof and Romanian.
Jen Sailor, the district’s English language learner interventionist, presented an overview of the district’s EL services and the local growth in Seal of Biliteracy recognitions at the Milan Area Schools board meeting.
Sailor described the identification process (a home-language survey and a screener) and the spring WIDA ACCESS assessment, which scores students on listening, speaking, reading and writing on a 1–6 scale. “I give every teacher this handout,” she said, describing individualized teacher-facing documents that list students’ scores and suggested supports.
Sailor said she is the lone district EL specialist and that her duties include PowerSchool flags, in-class support, accommodation of materials, family communication and translation. She noted translation work for parent-teacher conferences in Mandarin and Ukrainian and described family-engagement activities funded through Title III/Section 41, such as museum visits and school trips.
On the Seal of Biliteracy, Sailor said Milan has awarded seals in multiple languages: six in Spanish (one to an adult-education student), one in Portuguese, two in Wolof and two in Romanian. She described state-level work on the seal and said Grand Valley State University and Central Michigan University offer college credits for recognized students (15 credits and 8 credits respectively, in certain circumstances).
Board members praised the program and thanked Sailor for outreach and resource work. Chair Syslo and Superintendent McMahon highlighted her role as a county-level resource and noted the position has helped the district meet evolving state requirements for EL instruction.
What happens next: Sailor will continue to deliver teacher handouts and testing, support translation and family engagement, and participate in statewide Seal of Biliteracy policy work.
