Focus on: Manuel

Manuel is a tenth grade student who is an English learner. His family has traveled back and forth from Mexico throughout his schooling. Manuel has oral, but not written, Spanish language skills. Manuel speaks a combination of English and Spanish with his family at home.

Manuel received a diagnosis of learning disability in the third grade. Since third grade, Manuel has received special education services in math and reading.

Manuel uses English in class and communicates easily in social situations with English-speaking staff or students. He appears to be a fluent English speaker and listener. However, his academic English proficiency is at a low-intermediate level. Lengthy absences from school may have prevented Manuel from reaching proficiency in academic English.