NACS ELL PROGRAM
The "Every Student Succeeds Act" (ESSA) requires that all schools develop programming to address the needs of students whose native language is different than English. The NACS ELL program embraces this responsibility and provides comprehensive educational opportunities that support all English language learners as they work toward academic success. Teams of teachers, para-professionals, counselors, coordinators, and administrators are dedicated to this mission and actively participate in creating sound programming that supports all ELL students on their journey to English fluency.
Over the past 20 years we have seen a consistent increase in this very diverse population representing 67 spoken languages. Currently we have approximately 300 students receiving language acquisition assistance. Students who qualify for services are selected based on information provided by parents/guardians at time of registration on the Home Language Survey and the results of a language communication and comprehension assessment, WIDA screener given within the first 30 days of their enrollment.
LEP (limited English proficient) students whose language proficiency is between Levels 1-4, according to assessment results, are receiving 30 minutes to one hour of daily English language development instruction. Hampton-Brown/National Geographic ESL materials provide the primary foundation for our language acquisition instruction.
In 2012, NACS added an ENL class to its high school offerings. This credited class allows LEP students at Levels 1,2 3 & 4 to learn English as a foreign language from a certified teacher. Currently, 3 sections are offered. ALL high school ELL students may also receive additional support from a highly qualified paraprofessional throughout the school day.
Northwest Allen County Schools is fortunate to have 16 dedicated assistants/teachers providing individual or small group ELL services. ESL staff members receive monthly ELL training and guidance. Once a student has qualified for support services, a team consisting of the classroom teacher, counselor, and ESL staff members meet to create an ILP (individualized learning plan) that guides both classroom instruction and support services. NACS ELL support staff members provide caring and meaningful support for ELL students throughout their academic careers. Many ELL staff and students participate in ELL Summer Camp offered during the summer break. These themed summer opportunities offer relaxed settings for students to continue development of English language skills.
We currently have over 200 classroom teachers whose classrooms include ELL students. All Northwest Allen County teachers have received training on the ELD WIDA Standards and are encouraged to become actively involved in learning new and better instructional strategies for meeting the needs of their ELL students. Although the rewards of experiencing a child's excitement in learning a new language are great, providing meaningful educational opportunities for all students within their classrooms can be challenging. Many NACS teachers have received and will continue to be trained to differentiate instruction in order to meet the many levels of ability represented in their classroom of students. In 2012 Northwest Allen began to offer sheltered instruction (SIOP) professional development training to address K-12 classroom teacher ELL instructional practices. Throughout this 12 hour course, teachers develop more awareness of the unique academic needs of ELL students and learn instructional strategies that focus on supporting content comprehension these students in their classroom. Teachers completing the course have access to a dedicated SIOP curriculum coach who provides ongoing support for lesson preparation and delivery.
As previously noted, we have students who would qualify for the ESL program, however have declined services. The language assessment for the majority of these students indicated that they were very close to fluency level. Although not actively participating in support services, their academic progress continues to be closely monitored by school counselors. The educational progress for all qualifying students whether or not they are enrolled is reviewed and monitored throughout each school year and for at least two years after services have ended. Each spring, all students designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP) are given an English Language Proficiency Assessment. The WIDA ACCESS 2.0 assessment is provided by the state and complies with IDOE Title III provisions. Students must receive a score of Level 5 (FEP) to be eligible for exit from ELL programming. NACS, however, continues to offer English language support as needed, throughout an EL student's enrollment in our schools. Northwest Allen County Schools takes great pride in the fact that our ELL students and corporation has consistently met compliance with federal regulations.
We are now in our twentieth year as an established ELL program. Although NACS has been successful in much of its programming, we are committed to continuous development of even more effective instruction and support for our growing population of ELL students. NACS has met the challenge of creating a program of merit and substance and I am grateful for each and every one who has helped grow this program and the continued success of our students.
Barb Kiplinger
(EL director)
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