Hello, fellow educators!  Please use this site to guide you as you plan for your English Learners, and don't hesitate to contact one of us for support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an English Learner? 

An English Learner grew up speaking, or exposed to a language other than English. They may have been born here in our community, elsewhere in the United States, or abroad.  If not born in this community, they may have arrived from another part of the United States,  through adoption, immigration, or as a refugee. 

How does an English Learner learn?

As with any other student, there is not "one way" that works best for them.  Some enjoy audio or visual supports, some are more kinesthetic, while others may enjoy discussion and listening.  ESL teachers provide different program models to support the needs of English Learners according to their Language Acquisition Level (LAL),  and other academic needs.

How do we know they are an English Learner, or how do they receive ESL services?

Step 1: On enrollment or registration form, parents/guardian mark that student has learned or been exposed to a language other than English at home. Parents will then be asked to complete a Home Language Survey to determine the level of exposure to another language. The results of this survey will determine whether the child will be screened for English Language Proficiency. If they have not been exposed to any other language, they cannot be screened.

Step 2: Student is screened by an ESL teacher with language acquisition assessment, such as the WIDA-MODEL.

Step 3: Parent/guardian is informed of the language acquisition level and has the choice to give permission for services or waive services. 

Step 4: All ELs are part of the ESL program and will be assessed annually (using ACCESS) until they exit the program, even if parents waive services.  

How do I help my English Learners?

You can always reach out to the ESL teacher(s) in your building.  We have provided some links on the right, to helpful resources to assist you in planning for, and understanding the capabilities of your English Learners.

What happens when parents waive their rights for their child to receive ESL services?

All parents have the right to accept or decline services. When parents waive their rights for their child to receive ESL services, the student should not be provided instructional ESL services from the ESL teacher. The student will, however, participate in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment annually until they reach an exit score. As the classroom teacher, you may still offer quality universal instruction to suit the needs of the student.

How does a student exit out of the ESL program?

The trigger for reclassification is reaching a milestone in proficiency on the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Students reaching an Overall Composite of 5.0 or greater must be reclassified, and students reaching an Overall Composite of 4.5 or greater may be reclassified, should the district find additional evidence of proficiency using the Multiple Indicator Protocol. In this case, through careful assessment of the student’s progress, the ESL teacher can make a recommendation to dismiss the student from the ESL program.

What happens after a student exits the program?

After a student exits from the ESL program, the student continues his/her learning amongst peers in the regular education setting. The student is placed on “monitor” status where the ESL teacher continues to monitor the student’s progress through their grades, standardized assessments and teacher input. The student is monitored for four years post-exit.