Accountability for English Language Learners (ELL)

What Are AMAOs?

The re-authorization of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act, known as No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) inaugurated major changes in the expectations placed on state and local education agencies regarding assessment of and accountability for Limited English Proficient (LEP) students – also known as English Language Learners (ELL). Specifically, NCLB Title III requires states to:

• establish English language proficiency (ELP) standards aligned to state academic content standards, yet suitable for ELL students learning English as a second language;
• annually assess the English language proficiency of each ELL student using a valid and reliable assessment of English-language proficiency aligned to ELP standards;
• define annual measurable achievement objectives (AMAOs) to measure and report on progress toward and attainment of English proficiency and academic achievement standards; and
• hold local education agencies (LEAs) accountable for meeting increasing Annual Measurable Achievement Objective (AMAO) targets for English language proficiency (ELP) over time (NCLB 2002, Public Law 107-110, 115 Statute 1425).

Three specific AMAO target areas have been established under the law:

AMAO 1:	Progressing in English language acquisition annual increases in the number or percentage of students making progress in learning English
AMAO 2:	Exiting or reaching English language proficiency annual increases in the number or percentage of students attaining English language proficiency by the end of each school year
AMAO 3:	ELL-Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) AYP for the ELL subgroup (under Title I) in meeting grade-level academic achievement standards in English Language Arts (Reading) and Mathematics

Districts and consortia of districts must meet the Title III AMAOs annually since the baseline year, 2002-03.

• Understanding Accountability for English Language Learners
• Title III Accountability Law
• Title III Accountability Timeline (begins with 2006-07 determinations)
• Sample AMAO Parent Notification Letters, in English, Spanish, Hmong.

For questions about this information, contact oeamail@dpi.wi.gov

Last updated on 7/2/2009 8:15:26 AM