Students with Limited and/or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited and/or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) often have not had full access to formal educational programs for a variety of reasons, including interruptions in or limited access to formal education in their home country, or deficits in language development and literacy due to missing instruction during their attendance in United States (U.S.) schools. As a result, these learners may not have the same sociolinguistic proficiencies, content knowledge, and academic proficiencies or metacognition demonstrated by students who have consistently attended formal educational programs in the U.S., which may have an impact on these students’ ability to achieve in Virginia’s classrooms.
SLIFE Guidebook
The purpose of the Guidebook is to provide Virginia educators and stakeholders with a definition of Students with Limited and/or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) as well as support related to practices and procedures for meeting their unique interpersonal, linguistic, and academic needs. This support document addresses the SLIFE definition, programmatic guiding principles, identification of SLIFE, instructional recommendations, and additional considerations for working with SLIFE.
Instructional Practices for SLIFE
Effective programs for SLIFE address their acculturation to the United States school system, socio-emotional well-being, foundational literacy and academic skills, and integrated content and language instruction.
Getting Started in Virginia Schools Video Series
The Getting Started in Virginia Schools Video Series aims to support students and families new to Virginia schools. Each of the three parts in the series provide an overview of what they need to know about enrollment, the school day, and after school opportunities.
Resource Guide
The resource guide provides educators and other school personnel with practical information about how the videos in this series can be used to support SLIFE and other newly arrived students.
Part 1: Enrolling in School
In Episode 1 of this series, families learn about enrollment requirements, including documents needed, the home language screening, placement tests, the role of school counselors, school rules and procedures, immunization, and school meals.
Part 2: The School Day
In Episode 2 of this series, families learn what students can expect at school, including school security, transportation, class schedules, student supports, health care, libraries, physical education, class options, lockers, cafeterias, technology policies, homework, communicating with the school, and grades.
Part 3: Outside the School Day
In Episode 3 of this series, families learn about extracurricular activities in many schools, including tutoring, clubs and organizations, and sports teams. The program also includes information on how parents can access school information like attendance, grades and online resources, parent teacher organizations, and resources.
Newcomer Toolkit
The Newcomer Toolkit provides discussion of topics relevant to understanding, supporting, and engaging newcomer students and their families. It provides tools, strategies, and examples of classroom and schoolwide practices in action, along with chapter-specific professional learning activities for use in staff meetings or professional learning communities. It provides selected resources for further information and assistance, most of which are available online.
- Newcomer Toolkit - Updated June 2023
English Learner Family Toolkit
The English Learner Family Tool Kit provides support to families of English learners (ELs) in the U.S. education system. Each topic has five parts: Overview, Family and Student Rights, Questions to Ask School Staff, Tips, and Resources.
- English Learner Family Toolkit - Updated 2023