Correct Response: B. According to principles of sheltering content for English learners, the primary determinant for grouping students is their level of English language proficiency. Massachusetts school policy on SEI classrooms supports this principle. Typically, students within a grade are grouped according to overall English language proficiency level, particularly in elementary school classrooms where students receive most of their language instruction in a single class. Massachusetts law also allows SEI classrooms to group together English learners of different ages but whose degree of English proficiency is similar. A is incorrect because the SEI teacher should take into account students' English language proficiency in all language domains, not just their literacy level. The grouping strategies described in C and D are incorrect because students' native language should not be the primary consideration for instructional grouping.
