Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE)

SIFE is defined as: "English Language Learners (ELLs) who have attended schools in the United States (the 50 States and the District of Columbia) for less than twelve month and who, upon initial enrollment in such schools, are two or more years below grade level in literacy in their home language and/or two or more years below grade level in Math due to inconsistent or interrupted schooling prior to arrival in the United States.”

CR 154-2.2(y)

*United States means 50 State + the District of Columbia

SIFE with Developing Literacy or SDL, are a sub-group of SIFE with home language literacy at 3rd grade or below when entering a NYS secondary school. This is a distinct group of SIFE who have not yet developed foundational literacy in their home language.

 

NSYED and CUNY NYSIEB have partnered with Bridges to Academic Success to create a curriculum to meet the challenges of this specific group of students. Curriculum and supporting instructional videos linked below.

Join Mid-West RBERN on and the MLS team on APRIL 10, 2025: The Multilingual Literacy SIFE Screener (MLS) is a diagnostic tool used in the intake process for Newcomer students. It is a recommended tool for identifying SIFE students. The MLS evaluates students' abilities in Reading comprehension and Math in their home language. The MLS can be accessed for free by all schools in NYS and is available in 19 languages. This introductory webinar provides an overview of the tests, a walkthrough of the website interface, and there will be time for questions and answers. A zoom link will be sent the morning of the session. 

For more information about SIFE identification, placement, and programming, please contact:

Professional Development Specialist

Mid-West RBERN

Monroe 2 Orleans BOCES

Ph: (585) 352-2757

Fax: (585) 352-2613