Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District

English as a Second Language Program

Description and Procedures

Adopted August 2006

Revised September 2007

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District English as a Second Language (ESL) program is to help students for whom English is not their native language become academically and linguistically proficient in the English language.

IDENTIFICATION

The parents of new students enrolling in the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District complete a language survey as part of the enrollment process.  Students identified as having a primary or home language other than English are referred to the building ESL teacher, who will then assess the student for placement into the ESL program.

ASSESSMENT

Students identified as language minority students are referred to the ESL teacher so that he or she can determine whether the student is eligible for the ESL program.  The teacher will conduct an informal interview with the student and administer a language proficiency assessment.

The Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey-Revised (WMLS-R) may be used to determine the student’s language fluency level.  Students who are unable to respond orally in English may be placed in the ESL program without this initial testing.

In addition to the WMLS-R test, the district will annually assess ELL students by using:

            MAP (3-8, 10, 11)

            MAC II Test of English Language Proficiency (K-11)

ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES FOR PLACEMENT IN THE ESL PROGRAM

A language minority student will be considered eligible for the ESL program if:

• he/she demonstrates Negligible to Limited English proficiency as indicated on the WMLS-R or below the Advanced level on the MAC II Test of English Language Proficiency.
• he/she is unable to converse in English during a personal interview.
• he/she is more than one year below grade level standards as indicated on the MAP testing.
• he/she is a student transferring from another school where he/she was enrolled in an ESL program.
• he/she is performing below grade level expectations based on teacher observations in the regular classroom.
• he/she is working below grade level as evidenced by work samples/work portfolio.

Parents will be notified within one week of testing of their child’s eligibility assessment results and will be asked to complete a form indicating whether they wish their child to receive ESL services or to refuse these services.  Parents will be notified within 30 days from the start of the school year that their child is eligible for the ESL program.  If a child enters the program during the school year, parents will be notified within two weeks.

Based on annual assessments, students will continue in the ESL program, be placed on monitor status, or exited from the program. 

ESL INSTRUCTION

The ESL program will utilize a pull-out method or resource classroom where the ESL teacher will teach the ELL students basic language skills and help with regular classroom work.  Instruction will focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills.  Instruction will be provided either individually or in a small group outside of the regular classroom.  The amount of instruction time per week will vary depending on the students’ grade and language needs.

EXIT CRITERIA

The district has established criteria to determine when an ELL student qualifies to exit the ESL program.  This exit criteria attempts to ensure that the student can speak, read, write and comprehend English sufficiently well to participate meaningfully in the district’s regular educational program.  The district determines these qualifications based on a combination of the following standards:

• Achievement at the Advanced level on the Speaking and Listening subtests of the MAC II Test of English Language Proficiency.
• A fluency rating of Fluent English proficiency in all areas of the WMLS-R or achievement at the High Intermediate/Advanced levels in all areas of the MAC II Test of English Language Proficiency.
• Standardized achievement test scores in reading and/or language above the 40^th percentile.
• Performance of C- or above in core curriculum subjects without modifications for two consecutive semesters.
• Reading no more than 1.5 years below appropriate grade level on performance based testing.

MONITORING

The district monitors the educational progress of ELL students who have exited the ESL program for a period of two years.  When a student is being monitored the teacher will review grades, classroom performance and testing results.  These students will participate in the MAC II Test of English Language Proficiency during their two year monitoring period.  Students who have been placed on monitor status/exited from ESL may be reevaluated and reenter the ESL program should their performance decline.  Former ESL students have access to full school curriculum once they have exited the ESL program.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Evaluation for possible placement in special education programs follows the District Special Education Compliance Plan.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

• Parent meetings will be held once a year to inform parents about the services of the ESL program and to provide an opportunity for comments and suggestions.
• The district will notify parents when activities are planned.
• Parents are encouraged to ask questions and raise concerns.

WORKING WITH NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

The district will consult and coordinate with private schools in a timely manner for equitable service delivery for any eligible ELL students.

PROGRAM FAILURE NOTIFICATION

The district will promptly notify parents if the ESL program is failing to ensure language proficiency.  This notice will be provided no later than 30 days after this failure occurs.

FORMS

• Student Home Language Survey
• Parent Notice and Consent for Placement
• Exit/Monitor
• Parent Consent to Withdraw
• Notice of Ineligibility

LOGAN-ROGERSVILLE R-VIII SCHOOL DISTRICT

Student Home Language Survey

Student’s Name______________________________________________________________________

Date_____________School________________________________________ Grade_______________

Person Completing Survey:   Mother    Father    Student    Guardian    Other (specify):______________

Circle the best answer to each question and provide additional information:

Was the first language you learned English?                                           No Yes

Can you speak a language other than English?                                        No Yes    _____________

Is any language other than English used at home?                                 No Yes    _____________

Which language do you use most often with friends?                            English         Other:_____________

Which language do you use most often with your parents?                 English         Other:_____________

Which language do you use most often with other relatives?               English         Other:_____________

Have you attended school in a country other than the U. S.?               No Yes

What grades?____________________________________             How long?___________________

Have you attended another school in the U.S.?                                       No Yes

Where?_________________________________________            How long?___________________

Have you attended another school in Missouri?                                     No Yes

Where?_________________________________________            How long?___________________

Please provide any other related information that would help the school (for example, referral to Gifted

or Special Education programs in prior schools, etc.):

Note to school staff:  This form should be given to all new and enrolling students.  Any student that indicates use of a language other than English should be assessed as to English language proficiency.  Elaboration on any above answers may be useful before administering detailed tests.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM

Parent/Guardian Notice and Consent for Participation in the ESL Program

Date:

Your child, __________, has been identified as needing additional instruction to achieve English proficiency.  This determination is based on the evaluation results from the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey-Revised.  Results of the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey-Revised revealed the following:

In the area of Listening, _____ demonstrated _____ English listening ability (Level ___).

In the area of Oral Expression, _____ demonstrated _____ English oral expression ability (Level ___).

In the area of Reading, _____ demonstrated _____ English reading ability (Level ___).

In the area of Writing, _____ demonstrated _____ English writing ability (Level ___).

Scores can range from 1-5 (1 = Negligible, 2 = Very Limited, 3 = Limited, 4 = Fluent, 5 = Advanced).

The Logan-Rogersville English as a Second Language (ESL) program will use a pull-out method or resource classroom to teach your child English proficiency.  Instruction will focus on improving your child’s English proficiency as it will combine listening, speaking, reading and writing skills to teach language.  Further, these methods will benefit your child academically and will help your child achieve at an age-appropriate level by incorporating the above skills that are necessary to understand and speak English.

Your child will transition from this program upon the ability to obtain advanced scores in reading, writing, speaking and listening on the Missouri Language Proficiency Assessment, a Fluent-Level 4 score or higher in English proficiency on all areas of the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey-Revised and when he/she is receiving adequate classroom grades.

You have the right to remove your child from the program.  You have the right to assistance by a district representative.  The district representative will assist you in monitoring your child’s progress within the program.

If you should have questions or require other assistance please contact Kevin McComas, Director of Special Services, at 753-2891.

 I understand that my child has limited English proficiency, is eligible and is in need of English as a

     Second Language services.  I give my consent for my child to receive ESL services.

 I do not give my consent for my child to receive ESL services.

Parent/Guardian Signature: __________________________________________ Date: _______________

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM

EXIT/MONITOR NOTICE

Date:

_______________ is being  exited from or  monitored in the ESL program for the following reasons:

 Achievement at the Advanced level on the Speaking and Listening subtests of the

      MAC-II Test of English Language Proficiency.

 A fluency rating of Fluent English proficiency in all areas of the WMLS-R or

      achievement at the High Intermediate/Advanced levels in all areas of the MAC-II

      Test of English Language Proficiency.

 Standardized achievement test scores in reading and/or language above the 40^th

      percentile.

 Performance of C- or above in core curriculum subjects without modifications for

      two consecutive semesters.

 Reading no more than 1.5 years below appropriate grade level on performance based

      testing.

 Parents have requested that their qualifying child not be placed in the program at

      this time.  (Parent’s signature on a release form is required.)

 Other: ______________________________________________________________

       ___________________________________________________________________

       ___________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions regarding this notice please contact the building ESL teacher or Kevin McComas, Director of Special Services, at 753-2891.

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (ESL) PROGRAM

PARENTAL CONSENT TO WITHDRAW FROM THE PROGRAM

Date:

Dear _____________:

It has come to my attention that you would like to withdraw your child from the English as a Second Language (ESL) program.  Please complete this form and return it in the enclosed envelope.  If you have any questions please contact Kevin McComas, Director of Special Services, at 753-2891.

I give my consent for ______________________________________to withdraw from the ESL program at the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District.  I understand that my child can be reevaluated and reenter the ESL program should his/her performance decline and he/she meet the eligibility requirements.

__________________________________________                ______________________

Parent Signature                                                                               Date

__________________________________________

Parent Name

PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE

PROFICIENCY ASSESSMENT RESULTS

Date:

Dear __________:

Upon enrolling in the Logan-Rogersville R-VIII School District, you completed a Student Home Language Survey, which indicated that your child has had another language influence other than English.  Federal guidelines require school districts to screen/assess students’ English language proficiency in such cases. 

Your child, __________, was recently assessed to determine his/her English language proficiency levels.  Results of the Woodcock-Muñoz Language Survey-Revised revealed the following:

In the area of Listening, _____ demonstrated _____ English listening ability (Level ___).

In the area of Oral Expression, _____ demonstrated _____ English oral expression ability (Level ___).

In the area of Reading, _____ demonstrated _____ English reading ability (Level ___).

In the area of Writing, _____ demonstrated _____ English writing ability (Level ___).

Scores can range from 1-5 (1 = Negligible, 2 = Very Limited, 3 = Limited, 4 = Fluent, 5 = Advanced).

Children scoring at the fluent level and above are not eligible for English as a Second Language (ESL) services.  Your child scored at this level and is not eligible for ESL services based on these results.  If you have any questions please contact Kevin McComas, Director of Special Services, at 753-2891.