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Student Support » ELL Program

ELL Program

The goal of the English Language Learner (ELL) Program is to increase the acquisition of English and English literacy in students who have been identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) in grades 1-12.

ELL Assessment/Placement

The ELL Program uses the WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) to assess students English proficiency before enrollment and to place the student into ELL services as needed.
 
All students in the ELL program are assessed twice a year to measure their on-going progress in English using the Measure of Developing English Language (MODEL) Test to determine their need for future ELL services.
 
An ELL teacher or parent may believe that a student has a different proficiency level that is indicated by his/her assessment. A change in placement may occur as a result of collaboration among the regular classroom teacher(s) and the ELL specialist. Also, a second test may be done upon request of parent or teacher. Parents also have the right to refuse ELL service; however, the student will still be considered a student with limited English proficiency for testing purposes.
 
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Service Model

ELL students are served by ELL Specialists, and the type of service students receive is designated in the students’ learning plan (SEE learning plan process above). WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test (WAP-T) is required for all incoming non-native English speakers’ students as an entrance requirement. Services may follow a Push-in or Pull-Out model.
 
Students are evaluated by English language Proficiency Levels. Placement in a level within the program is flexible and is re-evaluated twice a year or upon teacher request based on the progress of the student. ELL Specialists assign goals for ELL students after evaluation of their proficiency levels.
 
Generally, students receiving ELL support receive intensive support at level 1, moderate support at level 2 & 3 and transitional support at level 4.
 
ELL teachers use “content-based ELL instruction” to assist ELLs. ELL Specialists combine grade-level content from Common Core Standards, Sheltered Instruction Protocol (SIOP) and WIDA Standards.