Resource Library Resource Library
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) are a unique group of MLs that enter U.S. schools after second grade and have had limited opportunities for education or have had major gaps in their education. SLIFE may have had a lack of access to schools because of living in places like rural settings or refugee camps or living in situations of violence or civil unrest making it unsafe to attend school. In addition, the structure and requirements of the education system could have prevented SLIFE from attending, such as gender expectations, educational costs, or formal education ending at a certain grade.
SLIFE bring many strengths to their education, such as resiliency, problem solving, cultural pride, strong family ties, motivation, sense of community, and backgrounds and experiences. However, SLIFE also can need additional instruction to build foundational literacy and numeracy skills due to their gaps in education or lack of education. Being new to a country coupled with new academic expectations can lead to stress, isolation, and frustration. SLIFE may also have additional social-emotional needs due to trauma endured prior to and during their arrival to the U.S.
The SupportEd team takes an assets-based approach to supporting SLIFE by building upon their backgrounds and experiences while developing skills to adapt to American schooling. In addition, SupportEd provides tools and resources to support the development of SLIFE programming in areas such as overall SLIFE programming, instructional resources and strategies, intake and enrollment, and supporting and engaging SLIFE families. For more information about our approach to SLIFE, check out our on demand SLIFE course.
Printables Printables
Effectively Supporting Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) in Your Schools
EL Newcomers and Students with Limited/Inconsistent Formal Education (SLIFE)Intake and Enrollment Checklist
Culturally Responsive Unit Planning Template
SLIFE Scheduling Planning Document
SLIFE Scenarios
SLIFE Program Review Planning Tool
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Courses Courses
Program Development Strategies for SLIFE and LTELs Program Development Strategies for SLIFE and LTELs
Effectively Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Effectively Reaching Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE)
Webinars Webinars
5 Practical Steps to Scaffold Lessons for English Learners 5 Practical Steps to Scaffold Lessons for English Learners
Learn innovative strategies and tools used by the nation’s tenth largest school district to effectively support SLIFE and improve their chances for academic and personal growth. This webinar contains:
- Practical tools for effectively identifying and assessing SLIFE
- Strategies for providing literacy intervention and support to SLIFE
- Innovative strategies for providing consistent socio-emotional support for SLIFE
Guest presenters: Karen Kleiber and Sonia Arellano of FCPS
