Fauquier County Public Schools Office of Second Language Instruction ESL PROGRAM GUIDE Updated July 2016 Office of Second Language Instruction PHONE (540) 422-7024 FAX (540) 422-7057 About the Reference Guide This is a comprehensive guide addressing the many issues and circumstances regarding the education of children with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Specifically, the information in this guide will help you better service students in your schools who are English Learners (ELs). The guide includes Fauquier County Public Schools’ philosophy, programs, and procedures concerning students who speak a language other than English and may require additional assistance in developing English language proficiency. This guide contains seven sections: Section 1: Program Overview- Provides an introduction to the ESL program in Fauquier County Public Schools. This overview also explains the mission, philosophy, program goals, objectives and school board policy. Section 2: Identification of ELs- Guides schools and teachers through the identification, assessment, placement process in the ESL program, and levels of language proficiency. Section 3: Services for ELs- Describes program models and suggested scheduling for ESL services for grades K-12. This section also describes services to increase parental involvement and the school board’s policy on parental involvement. Section 4: ESL Teacher Procedures- Addresses the contents of the ESL student folder which is maintained by the ESL teacher. Includes recommended guidelines for instructing and grading ELS. A monthly ESL teacher timeline in included in this section. Section 5: Assessments- This section addresses participation of ELs in division and state assessments. Section 6: Definition of Terms Section 7: ESL Program Forms Acknowledgements Thanks to the FCPS ESL Department for their contributions to this document. Additional thanks to Manassas City Public Schools, Prince William County ESOL Department and the Danville Public Schools for their assistance in the creation of this document. 2 Table of Contents Section 1: Program Overview Introduction Vision Statement, Mission Statement Educational Philosophy Program Standards Program Objectives Legal Background Federal Definition of LEP and Immigrant/Youth School Board Policy Section 2: Identification of English Learners Initial Registration Identification of EL students Procedure for Identifying EL Students Exchange Students W-APT Screening Annual WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® Testing Levels of English Language Proficiency Students Who Have Exited/Formerly LEP Students (FLEP) Grade Placement Elementary and Middle High School Section 3: 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 16 16 17 Services for English Learners Program Model Overview Elementary Program Models Elementary Guidelines and Scheduling Suggestions Secondary Program Models Secondary Scheduling Suggestions Parent Involvement Guidelines for Serving ELs in Other Programs Title I, Reading Recovery Response to Intervention (RTI) Special Education Gifted and Talented Special Opportunity Programs Section 4: 5 5 5 6 7 8 9 10 18 18 19 20 20 21 24 24 25 25 25 ESL Teacher Procedures ESL Forms and Records 26 3 Guidelines for Instructing and Grading English Learner Instructional Plan Effective Instruction for ELs Grading ESL Credit Graduation Requirements and Transcript Evaluation ESL Teacher Timeline Section 5: 28 28 29 29 30 30 Assessments Standardized Assessments LEP Committee Exemptions from FCPS Assessments Determining Test Accommodations Phonological Awareness and Literacy Screening (PALS) Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) 36 37 38 38 39 39 Section 6: 40 Definition of Terms Section 7: ESL Program Forms Complete List of ESL Program Forms Samples of ESL Program Forms 42 Begins on 43 4 Section 1: Program Overview INTRODUCTION Fauquier County Public Schools offers an English as a Second Language (ESL) program designed to meet the needs of the English Learners (ELs) who live in our district. The program began in 1992 with 65 students and two teachers. Our program has grown to approximately 550 students and 20 teachers and support staff. We have a diverse student population whose native languages include, but are not limited to: Albanian, Azerbaijani, Arabic, Bulgarian, Cambodian, Chinese, Dutch, Farsi, Finnish, French, Gujurati, Haitian Creole, Italian, Kazakh, Korean, Portuguese, Quechua, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, and Vietnamese. The majority of our current ELs speak Spanish in the home. Federal law states that public schools must provide free and equal education to meet the needs of all students, including those who have limited proficiency in the English language (Plyer vs. Doe, 1982; Lau vs. Nichols, 1974; Equal Education Opportunity Act, 1974). To meet federal regulations, the school division continues to expand its English learner support programs. We currently provide ESL support at all of our schools. VISION STATEMENT Our vision is to equip English Learners in Fauquier County Public Schools with the language skills they need to be both socially and academically successful in school and beyond. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the FCPS ESL program is for ELs to demonstrate progress and proficiency in English, as determined by the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® assessment. Additionally, ELs will show adequate annual progress in academic subjects, as required of all students by the Virginia Department of Education. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS) recognizes the importance of providing meaningful educational programs for ELs. Our educational philosophy is based on the belief that each EL can develop high levels of English proficiency and master challenging academic content with success equal to fluent English speakers. Our programs offer comprehensive instruction for all students while recognizing the possible discrepancies in the educational expectations of diverse cultures. We respect and acknowledge the importance of the different languages and cultures represented in our community. 5 PROGRAM STANDARDS FCPS follows the state approved English language development standards designed by the WIDA Consortium. From the 2012 WIDA Amplified Standards The population of English Learners is diverse in FCPS. Therefore, all teachers in FCPS are dually responsible for language development and course or grade level content. 6 PROGRAM OBJECTIVES Our ESL program is designed to: Accurately identify and assess all students who qualify for ESL services. Provide educational services to ELs in accordance with state and federal regulations. Advance ELs in language proficiency towards the required level for exit. Monitor the academic progress of former ESL students in accordance with State requirements. Examine and report student progress and achievement to parents/ guardians and classroom teachers. Facilitate communication between the school and non-English speaking parents through interpreters, translations and/or interpretation services. Accurately maintain ESL and division records. Assist classroom teachers and other school personnel with appropriate materials, strategies and training to address the individual needs of ELs. Review the effectiveness of ESL program services using appropriate evaluative measures (including SOL and ACCESS scores and LEP graduation rates). 7 LEGAL BACKGROUND The following summary provides the legal context for services provided to English Learner students and their families. Federal Law 1964 Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, “No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color of national origin … be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination …” 1974 Civil Rights Act was expanded to the Equal Educational Opportunity Act (EEOA), “No state shall deny equal educational opportunity to an individual on account of his or her race, color, sex or national origin, by … failure of educational agency to take appropriate action to overcome language barriers that impede equal participation by its students in its instructional programs.” Supreme Court Rulings 1974 Lau v. Nichols 1982 Equality of educational opportunity is not achieved by merely providing students with “the same facilities, textbooks, teachers and curriculum; [because] students who do not understand English are effectively foreclosed from any meaningful education.” Plyer v. Doe Cannot deny a free public education to undocumented immigrant children regardless of their immigrant status. 8 FEDERAL DEFINITION OF AN LEP STUDENT An LEP student in the Commonwealth of Virginia is classified according to the federal government definition as described in Public Law 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. An LEP student is classified as one: (A) who is aged 3 through 21; (B) who is enrolled or preparing to enroll in an elementary or secondary school; (C) (i) who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; OR (ii) (I) who is a Native American or Alaska native, or native resident of outlying areas; and (ii) (II) who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on the individual’s level of English language proficiency; OR (iii) who is migratory, whose native language is a language other than English, and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; AND (D) whose difficulties speaking, reading, or understanding the English language may be sufficient to deny the individual (i) the ability to meet the State’s proficient level of achievement on State assessments described in section 1111(b) (3); (ii) the ability to achieve successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or (iii) the opportunity to participate fully in society. FEDERAL DEFINITION OF IMMIGRANT YOUTH An immigrant and youth (IY) student in the Commonwealth of Virginia is classified according to the federal government definition as described in Public Law 107-110, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Age three through 21; Not born in any U.S. state; and Has not been attending one or more schools in any one or more states for more than three full academic years. Note: When calculating three full academic years, all time spent in U.S. schools must count on a cumulative basis. The academic years do not have to be consecutive. 9 SCHOOL BOARD POLICY POLICY 6-3.5 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS/LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY Generally The Fauquier County School Board shall provide programs to improve the education of limited English proficient children by assisting the children to learn English and meet Virginia’s challenging academic content and student academic achievement standards. Assessment Under No Child Left Behind Students with limited English proficiency shall be administered a limited English proficiency assessment mandated for students by the federal No Child Left Behind Act that is either developed or selected by FCPS and has been approved by the Board of Education in accordance with federal requirements. Eligibility The School Board will establish a process to ensure that students who are eligible to receive English as a second language services are appropriately identified and offered those services. Upon entry, all students will complete a home language survey as part of the enrollment form to determine if a language other than English is spoken at home. Students who are identified as language minority students will be assessed to determine their level of English language proficiency. Parents will be notified of their child's eligibility for participation in a program for limited English proficient students and students will be placed in an appropriate support program. Students who have not reached age 22 on or before August 1 of the school year may be accepted and provided English as a second language services. No tuition shall be charged such students, if state funding is provided for such programs. Notification The School Board will, not later than thirty (30) days after the beginning of the school year, inform a parent or the parents of a limited English proficient child identified for participation in, or participating in, a program for limited English proficient students of: 1. The reasons for the identification of their child as limited English proficient and in need of placement in a language instruction education program; 2. The child’s level of English proficiency, how that level was assessed, and the status of the child’s academic achievement; 3. The method of instruction used in the program in which their child is, or will be, participating, and the methods of instruction used in other available programs, including how such programs differ in content, instruction goals, and use of English and a native language in instruction; 4. How the program in which their child is, or will be participating will meet the educational strengths and needs of the child; 10 5. How such program will specifically help their child learn English, and meet age appropriate academic achievement standards for grade promotion and graduation; 6. The specific exit requirements for such program, the expected rate of transition from such program into classrooms that are not tailored for limited English proficient children, and the expected rate of graduation from secondary school for such program; 7. In the case of a child with a disability, how such program meets the objectives of the individualized education program of the child; and 8. Information pertaining to parental rights that includes written guidance detailing the right that parents have to have their child immediately removed from such program upon their request and the options that parents have to decline to enroll their child in such program or to choose another program or method of instruction, if available, and assisting parents in selecting among various programs and methods of instruction, if more than one program or method is offered by the school division. For a child who has not been identified for participation in a language instruction education program prior to the beginning of the school year, the School Board shall provide the notice detailed above within 2 weeks of the child being placed in the program. The information described above will be provided to parents in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that the parent can understand. LEGAL REFERENCE: Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, §§ 22.1-5, 22.1-212.1; Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Adopted: October 15, 2013 11 Section 2: Identification of ELs INITIAL REGISTRATION The following information will assist schools when registering new students who indicate a language other than English on their Home Language Registration Form. IMPORTANT: Schools should contact the ESL Intake Center for assistance when registering students who are coming to FCPS directly from another country. The ESL Intake Specialist will determine if registration will be completed by the school or the Intake Center (540-422-7118). This includes students who have been previously enrolled in FCPS schools and US Citizens who have been enrolled in international schools. Initial Registration Guidelines: The Home Language Registration Form must be completed for ALL students who register for school. It is a part of the enrollment process whether or not you suspect there may be a home language other than English. All information on the Home Language Registration Form is necessary to fulfill federal and state requirements. If you are able to effectively communicate with the parents, the registration process may be completed at your school unless the student is coming from another country. If the parents are unable to communicate in English, students are coming from another country, or difficulties are encountered during the registration process, contact the ESL Intake Center to assist with the registration. (540) 422-7118. The ESL Intake Specialist may come to the school to assist with the registration, or request that the family complete the registration at the ESL Intake Center. After consultation with the ESL Intake Specialist, if a determination is made to send a family to the Intake Center for registration, please: Give parents the intake flyer (available in English and Spanish) Advise families to call and make a registration appointment at the Intake Center. Obtain a name and phone number for follow up with the family. Send all forms and information collected from the family to the ESL Intake Center (Central Complex Building A). 12 IDENTIFICATION OF LEP STUDENTS Home Language Registration Form (PF2E or PF2S revised 2012) The Home Language Registration Form is used to identify potential English Learners. If a language other than English is noted as a response to any of the questions, then the student must be screened for eligibility in the ESL program. Registrars should make two (2) copies of the Home Language Registration Form. One copy will be given to the ESL Teacher immediately and one copy will be sent to the ESL Intake Center. The original is then placed in the student’s cumulative file. 13 PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFYING EL STUDENTS Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requires LEP students be identified as part of the enrollment process for all students. The FCPS enrollment process includes the following questions on the Home Language Registration Form to determine if English language proficiency screening is applicable to determine the need for possible ESL services. 1. What was the first language that this student spoke? 2. Is there a language other than English spoken at home? Which language(s)? 3. Does the student speak or understand a language other than English? Is there a language other than English given as a response to any of the questions on the Home Language Registration Form? Yes Obtain an ACCESS or W-APT score report from previous school. If no previous assessment is available: Administer the W-APT or WIDA MODEL English language proficiency (ELP) screening assessment tool. Does the W-APT/ACCESS score indicate the student meets the eligibility criteria for the ESL program? No The student does not meet the criteria to be identified as an English Learner (EL). The student does not meet the criteria to be identified as an English Learner (EL). Create green ESL folder with assessment results to include in the student cumulative file. No Yes Determine the LEP student’s instructional needs and place in an appropriate ESL instructional program. Main office must enter LEP student information into Infinite Campus. Student should appear on ESL teacher case load in ELLevation the day after the student is flagged as LEP in Infinite Campus. Notify the EL student’s parents within 30 days after the beginning of the school year, or within two weeks of the child’s placement within a program (Parental Notification Letter) 14 FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENTS For students on J-1 (Exchange Visitor) visas and F-1 (Exchange High School Student) visas, the standard identification, screening, and placement process must be followed as required by Title VI, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to determine if the student is an EL. If the school division has followed this process and determined that the student is not LEP, this determination should be documented in the student’s scholastic record. This means when foreign exchange students enroll, they should be given the Home Language Registration Form, and if a language other than English is indicated, they will be screened for English language proficiency to determine eligibility for ESL services. While some exchange programs maintain their exchange students are fluent in English, FCPS must follow federal regulations of identification, screening, and placement. W-APT SCREENING Eligibility for the ESL program is determined by the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (WAPT)TM or the WIDA MODEL assessment for students who do not have a WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® score from a previous school. This includes, but may not be limited to, the following student groups: Rising kindergarteners In-state transfers who do not have a WIDA score Out of state transfers First time in U.S. schools Screening students for the ESL program is a federal requirement. Parents do not have the option to refuse screening. However, parents have the right to opt–out of ESL services at any time by completing the refusal section of the Parental Notification of Placement letter (PF6E/PF6S) followed by a Refusal of Services form. ANNUAL ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TESTING All students found eligible for ESL services will be tested to determine their English proficiency levels using the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® assessment each year. This includes students who have opted out of services (refused services). The goal of the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® test is to allow students to demonstrate their level of English proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is a largescale test that first and foremost addresses the English language development standards 15 that from the core of the WIDA Consortium's approach to instructing and testing English learners. LEVELS OF LANGUAGE PROFICENCY These levels describe the spectrum of an ELL's progression from knowing little to no English to acquiring the English skills necessary to be successful in an English-only mainstream classroom without extra support. To achieve proficiency and exit the ESL program, a student must obtain a composite AND literacy score of 5.0 on a Tier B or Tier C WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® test. Guidelines for determining EL language proficiency levels based on WIDA ACCESS testing are assigned as follows. WIDA ELP Proficiency Levels** ACCESS for ELLs Composite Score Level 1 – Entering 1.0 through 1.9 Level 2 – Emerging 2.0 through 2.9 Level 3 – Developing 3.0 through 3.9 Level 4 – Expanding 4.0 through 4.9 Level 5 – Bridging 5.0 on Composite but less than 5.0 on Literacy ** Students are eligible to receive services through Level 5 EXIT– Reaching 5. 0 on both Literacy AND Composite ON TIER B or C TEST Level 6A Formerly LEP, Year 1 Level 6B Formerly LEP, Year 2 16 STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXITED THE ESL PROGRAM / FORMERLY LEP (FLEP) STUDENTS Federal Law requires that school divisions monitor students’ academic achievement and progress for four years after they exit from an ESL program. All formerly LEP students’ academic progress will be monitored at least every semester for four calendar years. FLEP students are included on the school’s ESL caseload for four years and their scores are included in the LEP subgroup. To determine academic progress and success, FLEP monitoring will be completed through ELLevation. If student progress is unsatisfactory, the school will develop an intervention plan to address the student’s needs. GRADE PLACEMENT FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE Students should be placed at grade-level as indicated by age. However, adjustments may be made based on evaluation of prior academic records, exact date of birth, and other school readiness factors. The table below displays the age and grade-level placement for students younger than 14 years of age. Recommended Grade Placement by Age Age by September 30 Grade 5 Kindergarten 6 Grade 1 7 Grade 2 8 Grade 3 9 Grade 4 10 Grade 5 11 Grade 6 12 Grade 7 13 Grade 8 17 GRADE PLACEMENT FOR HIGH SCHOOL Grade placement is made at the time of registration with involvement of the ESL Intake Center. Evidence of earned credits will govern the grade placement of a high school student. Students Without Transcripts Students who arrive with no transcripts are placed in 9th grade. This placement is reviewed if transcripts are subsequently received and evaluated. Students With Transcripts The ESL Intake Center and the Guidance Department will review all transcripts and place the student according to the number of credits earned. Information about foreign transcripts will be obtained from the Metropolitan Area Foreign Student Association (MAFSA) Comparison Chart of Primary and Secondary Foreign School Systems and Comparison Chart of National Grading Scales. Frequently Asked Question Can EL students over the age of 18 attend Virginia public schools? School boards may accept and provide programs for students for whom English is a second language who entered school in Virginia for the first time after reaching their twelfth birthday, and who have not reached 22 years of age on or before August 1 of the school year. No tuition shall be charged such students, if state funding is provided for such programs. [COV, § 22.1-5. D] In FCPS, students who are not able to meet graduation requirements by the age of 22 may not be admitted for enrollment. The ESL Intake Center will counsel older students using the Educational Opportunities form for Students Age 18 or older to make an appropriate determination of academic placement for older students. 18 Section 3: Services for English Learners PROGRAM OVERVIEW CONTENT- BASED ESL INSTRUCTION In FCPS, English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction is content-based. The type of program model and delivery of instruction depends on the proficiency levels and academic needs of the students. ELEMENTARY PROGRAM MODELS Direct Instruction Pull Out - Students are taken out of the mainstream classroom to receive direct services in an ESL classroom. This method is most commonly used with students at beginning levels of English proficiency, levels 1 and 2. In an ESL pull-out model, students are “pulled out” of general education instruction to receive instruction in English. Usually, ELs are taught in a separate small group setting consisting of only ELs. Students may be grouped by grade-level or proficiency level. Co-teaching/Collaboration – Mainstream teacher and ESL teacher share the responsibility for planning and teaching all students in the mainstream classroom. Content-Mainstreaming – ESL teachers work in a core content classroom to support instruction for ELs. ESL teachers support the academic content being taught within a language framework by reinforcing academic vocabulary by differentiating instruction. Instructional Coaching – The ESL teacher models strategies, presents demonstration lessons, provides resources, and meets with the classroom teacher and ELs on a regular basis. Support Services Classroom Support – An instructional assistant works under the supervision of the ESL teacher and the mainstream teacher to assist ELs in the mainstream classroom. Consultation – ESL teacher consults with classroom teachers on a regular basis to assist in planning instruction for the ELs in the classroom. 19 ELEMENTARY GUIDELINES FOR ESL SERVICES ESL teachers will be included in the placement, grouping, and/or scheduling of ELs. Considerations include proficiency level, grade level, overall school EL population, content area, and scheduling requirements. Combining grade and/or skill levels may be necessary for ESL direct instruction. ELEMENTARY SCHEDULING SUGGESTIONS FOR ESL SERVICES Each EL is identified by a proficiency level which aids in determining the amount of instruction. The time allocations below are recommendations based on student need. Service Recommendations1 Grade Level K eligible2 Varies based on student need 1 1–2 225 minutes 3 150 minutes 4 45 minutes 5 Consultation 1–2 225 minutes 3 150 minutes 4 45 minutes 5 Consultation 1–2 300 minutes 3 225 minutes 4 45 minutes 5 Consultation 2 3/4/5 (minutes/week) 1 ESL support includes all models of services Kindergarten students are classified as eligible or not eligible for ESL services based on the W-APT. A proficiency level is determined after taking the spring administration of the Kindergarten WIDA ACCESS for ELLs®. 2 20 SECONDARY PROGRAM MODELS Direct Instruction ESL Resource Classes – Students receive services through scheduled ESL classes. Sheltered Courses – Sheltered courses are regular mainstream courses slightly modified in instructional approach and taught for academic credit by a certified content teacher assigned to teach a section composed entirely of ELs. Teachers of sheltered courses are dually certified in ESL and the content area. Co-teaching/Collaboration – Mainstream teacher and ESL teacher share the responsibility for planning and teaching all students in the mainstream classroom. Content-Mainstreaming – ESL teachers work in a core content classroom to support instruction for ELs. ESL teachers support the academic content being taught within a language framework by reinforcing academic vocabulary by differentiating instruction. Instructional Coaching – The ESL teacher models strategies, presents demonstration lessons, provides resources, and meets with the classroom teacher and ELs on a regular basis. Support Services Classroom Support – An instructional assistant works under the supervision of the ESL teacher and the mainstream teacher to assist ELs in the mainstream classroom. Consultation – ESL teacher consults with classroom teachers on a regular basis to assist in planning instruction for the ELs in the classroom. SECONDARY SCHEDULING SUGGESTIONS FOR ESL SERVICES Each EL is identified by a proficiency level which aids in determining the amount of instruction. The time allocations below are recommendations based on student need. 3 Service Recommendations3 Grade Level 6 – 12 1 – 3.3 300 minutes 3.4 –3.9 200 minutes 4 100 minutes 5 Consultation (minutes/week) ESL Support includes all models of services. 21 PARENT INVOLVEMENT LEGAL BACKGROUND While involving parents in education has been outlined in legislation since 1964, Title I and Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) place a renewed and expanded emphasis on the involvement of all parents and, in particular, LEP parents. NCLB defines parental involvement as “the participation of parents in regular, two-way, and meaningful communication involving student academic learning and other school activities” [Section 9101(32)]. Furthermore, Title III of the law requires that schools provide “an effective means of outreach to parents of LEP children to inform them of how they can be active participants in their child’s education to help them learn English and succeed academically” [Section 3302(e)(1)]. To communicate in a meaningful way with LEP parents, schools must “hold regular meetings for these purposes, and the information must be presented in an understandable and uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a language that the parent can understand” [Section 1118(e)(5)]. Increasing the involvement of LEP parents is not a simple matter. “Parent involvement is a process,” not a program of activities; therefore, it requires the ongoing energy and effort of the school staff and community (Davis 1989). Schools must carefully consider the linguistic, cultural, and educational backgrounds of parents of ELs and skillfully develop a parental outreach program that teaches them about their role and responsibility as academic partners with their child’s school. PARENT OUTREACH ESL teachers and/or interpreter/translators are available, upon request, to attend school functions and parent meetings. School information is presented in bilingual format when appropriate. Translation of forms, letters, progress reports and other essential information is provided. Adult ESL programs are available at various locations in the schools and community. ESL Open House/Orientation/Parent Nights for parents of ELs are offered periodically in the schools. Sessions include information on how to become volunteers, mentors, and aides at the school. Parents are encouraged to share their language and culture within the schools through volunteer activities and multicultural events. 22 SCHOOL BOARD POLICY 1.1. The Fauquier County School Board recognizes that the education of each student is a responsibility shared by the school and the student’s family. The Fauquier County School Board endorses the parental involvement goals of Title I (20 U.S.C., section 6318) and Title III (20 U.S.C., section 7012 (e) and encourages the regular participation by parents of all children including those eligible for Title I and Limited English Proficiency (LEP) programs in all aspects of those programs. 1.2. In keeping with these beliefs, it is the intention of the Fauquier County School Board to cultivate and support active parent involvement in student learning. The Fauquier County School Board will: 1.2.1. Provide activities that will educate parents regarding the intellectual and developmental needs of their children. These activities will promote cooperation between the School Division and other agencies or school/community groups (such as parent-teacher groups, the Head Start program, the Reading First Program, Early Reading First Program, Even Start Program, and Parents as Teachers Program) to furnish learning opportunities and disseminate information regarding parenting skills and child/adolescent development; 1.2.2. Implement strategies to involve parents in the educational process, including: 1.2.2.1. Keeping families informed of opportunities for involvement and encouraging participation in various programs; 1.2.2.2. Providing access to educational resources for parents and families to use with their children; and 1.2.2.3. Keeping families informed of the objectives of School Division educational programs as well as of their child’s participation and progress with these programs; 1.2.3. Enable families to participate in the education of their children through a variety of roles. For example, family members may: 1.2.3.1. Provide input into School Division policies; 1.2.3.2. Volunteer time within the classroom and school programs; 1.2.4. Provide professional development opportunities for teachers and staff to enhance their understanding of effective parent involvement strategies; 1.2.5. Perform regular evaluations of parent involvement at each school and in the School Division; 23 1.2.6. Provide access, upon request, to any instructional material used as part of the educational curriculum; and, 1.2.7. If practicable, provide information in a language understandable to parents. 1.3. In addition, for parents of students eligible for LEP programs, the School Board will inform such parents of how they can be active participants in assisting their children: 1.3.1. To learn English; 1.3.2. To achieve at high levels in core academic subjects; and 1.3.3. To meet the same challenging academic content and student academic achievement standards all children are expected to meet. 2. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN TITLE I PLAN 2.1. Fauquier County Public Schools encourages parents of children eligible to participate in Title I, Part A, programs to participate in the development of the School Division’s Title I plan. Parents may participate by attending planning meetings at the School Division level, by voicing concerns to the Superintendent’s School Support Council, or by sending written comments to the Title I Coordinator. 3. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT 3.1. Fauquier County Public Schools encourages parents of children eligible to participate in Title I, Part A, and LEP programs to participate in the process of school review and, if applicable, school improvement as implemented by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 20 U.S.C., section 2316. Parents may participate by attending planning meetings at their child’s school, serving on the school improvement advisory committee, or by sending written comments to the school’s principal. 24 Guidelines for Serving ESL Students in Other Programs TITLE I An EL is eligible for all Title I services under the same identification procedure as non-EL students. The ESL teacher and Title I teacher should collaborate in identifying and recommending service for an EL. READING RECOVERY An EL is eligible for Reading Recovery services under the same identification procedure as non-EL students in schools that offer the service. RTI CONSIDERATIONS FOR ELS An EL is eligible for referral to Response to Intervention (RtI) at any time if there is a concern about emotional/academic issues or retention, regardless of the student’s proficiency in English. Consult the FCPS RtI handbook for specific RtI protocol. The FCPS ELL Specialist should be consulted when ELs are referred to RtI and a dual language assessment should be considered. The ESL teacher or other personnel with expertise on second language acquisition must be included on all school teams and committees that make instructional program decisions for ELs. DUAL LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT The English Language Learner (ELL) Specialist is available for consultation to assist schools in meeting the needs of ELs. DLA services through the RtI process. A formal DLA must be completed before a decision to test for Special Education eligibility is made. DLA/ELL Specialist Contact information: (540) 422-7154 extension 1072 25 SPECIAL EDUCATION An EL is eligible for all Special Education (SPED) services under the same identification procedure as non-EL students. INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN (IEP) When an EL is found eligible for Special Education services, the IEP team, that includes the ESL teacher, will collaborate on the IEP. WIDA ACCESS scores or the WIDA Checklist will be considered in creating the IEP. When an EL arrives from another school division with an IEP, the ESL teacher will confer with the SPED teacher to review the IEP and discuss what ESL services are needed and how the student is expected to participate in standardized testing. A Dually Identified Service plan for ELs should be created to document the student’s level of ESL services. Accommodations can be provided based on student need and availability under Special Education and/or English Learner Guidelines for standardized testing accommodations. DUALLY IDENTIFIED STUDENTS The FCPS Dually Identified Service plan will be completed by the ESL teacher for English Learners who are also eligible for Special Education services. GIFTED AND TALENTED An EL is eligible for all GT services under the same identification procedure as non-EL students. SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMS ELs must be eligible for consideration for all special opportunity programs and may not be excluded from participating in any activity or course solely because of lack of English proficiency. These opportunities include, but are not limited to, specialty programs, clubs, extracurricular activities and athletics. 26 Section 4: ESL Teacher Procedures ESL ADMINISTRATIVE FORMS AND RECORDS ESL GREEN FOLDER The ESL green folder contains all of the compliance documents recommended by the Office of Civil Rights and required by Title III. The ESL teacher and/or Intake Center creates and maintains the contents of the ESL Green Folder. This folder is stored in the student’s Permanent Cumulative File and should not be removed. The ESL Green Folder must be diligently and consistently maintained by ESL program staff. Important information is located on the outside of the folder including LEP information that must be entered into the student information system (Infinite Campus). File contents: Initial Screening Results – W-APT/WIDA MODEL screening results Annual ELP results – WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® Teacher Report Parental Notification of Placement (formerly NCLB) Letter (Sent every school year, generated in ELLevation, available in 28 languages) – A parent/guardian or student over 18 must sign this form before a student initially begins to receive ESL services. This letter notifies parents of the current English language proficiency level of their child and meets federal guidelines for informing parents about available services. This letter must be sent to parents within 30 days of the beginning of the school year or within two weeks of initial registration. Parents may refuse ESL services on this form. Participation and Accommodation on Standardized Testing (Generated in ELLevation) – This document is created during an EL committee meeting. This documents the EL’s participation and/or accommodation(s) on standardized tests. LEP Student Summary for Content Area Teachers (optional) – generated through ELLevation Copy of Final Program Exit Parent Letter – Completed when an EL is exited from the ESL program; letter should be sent to inform parents of program change. Referral for ESL Screening (if used) – Used to request an ESL screening after initial registration. A referral may be made by a parent, teacher, administrator or school staff member and is required to initiate screening. Permission for ESL Screening (if used) – Used when a Referral for Screening Form has been received. This form is most commonly used for ineligible kindergarten students who are referred for re-screening at the end of the kindergarten year. 27 SCHOOL ESL ROSTERS ESL student rosters are maintained within the ELLevation data management system. Teachers should review their rosters monthly to ensure that all students are included on the roster. ESL teachers must also complete a monthly data audit through ELLevation to ensure that there are no data errors in the system. 28 GUIDELINES FOR INSTRUCTING AND GRADING ENGLISH LEARNERS ENGLISH LEARNER INSTRUCTIONAL PLANS The classroom/core content teacher and the ESL teacher will work together to select goals and classroom accommodations that best meet the language needs of each EL. These goals can be documented through the ELLevation system. Goals must be academic in nature and supported by assessment data. They should be based on WIDA ACCESS scores, Can-Do descriptors for the student’s WIDA ELP level, model performance indicators (MPIs), SOL content, and other school and district level assessment data. ESL teachers and classroom/content teachers will work together to select a subject area (language arts, math, etc.) and a language domain (listening, speaking, reading or writing) for each goal. The goals should also include appropriate supports to help each student meet his/her goal. Each goal must contain a language function (verb), sample topic (combination of the MPI topic or SOL), and a support (graphic organizer, small group, etc.). 29 EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION FOR ELS Effective classroom instruction for ELs occurs when teachers choose their vocabulary carefully and use graphic organizers, concrete objects, and gestures to enhance understanding. Teachers should use a variety of techniques and strategies to present content material. These can include: building background knowledge (filling in cultural gaps) scaffolding assignments and objectives visual support (pictures, realia (real objects), diagrams, charts, and graphic organizers) hands-on activities cooperative learning dialogue journaling (communication with peers and/or teachers) In addition, accommodations such as modified assignments, simplified vocabulary, additional time, adapted rubrics, presenting essential grade level objectives, and use of English and/or bilingual dictionaries should be provided. Consult the students EL Accommodation plan for guidance on student accommodations. GRADING IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Responsibility for Recording Grades The teacher responsible for grading ELs at the elementary level depends upon many factors such as proficiency level and the program model (whether direct or indirect instruction or a combination of both). In most cases, the classroom teacher carries the major responsibility for a student’s instruction and grades. However, most ESL and classroom teachers collaborate to deliver instruction and then confer about grades. In some cases, the ESL teacher is responsible for the language arts grades alone or for the subject areas that students miss due to time in the ESL class. As a result of all of the above, grading responsibility can differ from school to school. Students at proficiency levels 1 and 2 will receive a language acquisition progress report prepared quarterly by the ESL teacher. Note: Spanish progress reports are available upon request GRADING IN THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS ESL students in the middle and high schools have scheduled content and ESL classes. They are graded by the course teacher(s) of that particular class. 30 CREDIT FOR ESL COURSES Foreign Language Credit ESL classes may count as foreign language credit (up to two years). Elective credit may also be received for native language courses or English courses taken in the native country. Elective Credit ESL classes may be used as elective credits. More than one ESL class may be applied toward the two sequential electives credit requirement. GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS AND TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION Transfer Credits Students who have transcripts may receive transfer credit towards graduation. Transcripts need to be evaluated by the ESL Supervisor or ESL Intake Specialist along with the school guidance counselor. FCPS follows guidelines established by Metropolitan Area Foreign Student Association (MAFSA) to evaluate foreign transcripts. Foreign transcript evaluation occurs at the ESL Intake Center with collaboration from the ESL Supervisor and high school guidance departments. Graduation Credits ELs have the same graduation requirements as all high school students in FCPS. For specific courses required and information on verified credits, consult the FCPS High School Program of Studies. 31 RETENTION Research indicates that retention is rarely a successful option for English Learners. According to the law (Section I, Part G, Guidelines to Satisfy Legal Requirements of Lau v. Nichols), ELs cannot be retained solely because of their English language proficiency. If a teacher recommends retention because a student appears to have made little or no progress, schools should determine that the student has been enrolled in the school for an adequate period of time to ensure that the following conditions have been met: ELs have received English Language development instruction commensurate with their proficiency level. Mainstream teachers have made appropriate accommodations and modifications in lessons, assignments, and assessments. When making retention decisions for ELs, schools should consider the following: Students may not be retained as a strategy to “catch up” academically. If students have received appropriate modifications and accommodations in ESL and mainstream classes but have not shown progress in their language and content skills, the mainstream teacher and the ESL teacher should consider a DLA referral and/or referral to the school RTI team before considering retention. Notification of the possibility of retention should be communicated in a language that parents can understand. Teachers should follow school and division level guidelines that apply to all students when considering retention for ELs. Tools to use when collecting data for retention decisions: Light’s Retention Scale Response to Intervention (RtI) minutes and reports Dual Language Assessment Reports Classroom Data (PALS, DRA, QRI, benchmarks, etc.) CogAT or Naglieri results 32 ESL TEACHER TIMELINE ***Changes in activities and dates may occur at any time due to federal, state, or local mandates. AUGUST Attend ESL Staff Meeting during teacher work week – August 11 at 8:30 AM at Central A4 Review and update ESL student roster in ELLevation Screen new potential ELs in grades 1 – 12 using the W-APT as needed Screen potential K ELs using the K-WAPT™ and send parent letters Review, update, and create ESL green folders ELEMENTARY: Work with your principal and content area teachers to create your schedule ELEMENTARY: Send Imagine Learning implementation plan to ESL Supervisor MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Work closely with the Guidance Director to ensure that ELs are properly scheduled MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL: Inform content area teachers of appropriate classroom strategies for ELs enrolled in their classes SEPTEMBER PARENTAL NOTIFICATION OF PLACEMENT LETTERS – must be sent by 9/15/16 Make a copy of all letters for green ESL folders Collect signed Parental Notification Letters and replace unsigned copies with signed copies in the green ESL folder Notify the ESL Intake Specialist when services are accepted for new students If any parent/guardian refuses services, contact them to confirm refusal decision and complete the Refusal of Services form, then notify the ESL Intake Specialist Ensure that all students appear on roster in ELLevation, complete data audit Ensure that the PNP letter has been signed and returned for all students who are new to the County. Notify the ESL Intake Specialist of any students who have not returned the PNP. Send copy of your schedule to ESL Supervisor Attend county-wide D-PLC for ESL teachers (September 8, 2016, School Board Office 4th floor conference room) Attend ELLevation InClass training on September 28, 2016 at Central Complex, A-3 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE: Review VGLA eligible students, determine who will complete a VGLA portfolio and email a list of students to the ESL Supervisor & DDOT’s office (Mary Wills/Deb Anderson) and begin portfolio collections HIGH SCHOOL: Convene EL Committee and complete EL Accommodation and Participation forms for first term testing. Send a copy to the DDOT (Mary Wills, Central A-5). Make a classroom copy for yourself. Deadline is September 30, 2016. 33 OCTOBER Attend county-wide ESL D-PLC on October 13, 2016 at Central, A-3 MIDDLE SCHOOL: Convene EL Committee and complete EL Accommodation and Participation forms. (Continued in November, due November 18, 2016) Complete first term FLEP Monitoring – ELLevation Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL – Compile a list of students for the STAMP test NOVEMBER Coordinate parent/teacher conferences with teachers and interpreter/translators – Conference day is November 7, 2016 ELEMENTARY: Convene EL Committee and complete EL Accommodation and Participation forms for all ELs (continued in December, due December 9, 2016) MIDDLE SCHOOL: Complete EL accommodation forms by November 18; Make a classroom copy for yourself and send a copy to the DDOT’s office (Mary Wills, Central A-5) MIDDLE/HIGH: Administer STAMP Test Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit DECEMBER Attend county-wide D-PLC for ESL teachers (December 1, 2016 at 4PM, Central, A-2) Complete required WIDA ACCESS 2.0 test administration training online (www.wida.us) ELEMENTARY: Complete EL forms by December 9, 2016; Make a classroom copy for yourself and send a copy to the DDOT’s office, (Mary Wills, Central A-5) Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit JANUARY 2016 FCPS WIDA ACCESS 2.0 TEST WINDOW: January 16 – February 24th, 2017 Create WIDA ACCESS 2.0 test schedule with your STC and ITRT Administer ACCESS 2.0 according to your schedule Attend VESA conference (optional) Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit 34 FEBRUARY Complete ACCESS testing – ACCESS 2.0 test window January 16 – February 24th, 2017 Coordinate parent/teacher conferences with teachers and interpreters/translators. Spring Conference day is March 15, 2017. HIGH SCHOOL: Convene EL Committee and complete EL Accommodation and Participation forms by February 24, 2017; Make a classroom copy for yourself and send a copy to the DDOT’s office (Mary Wills, Central A-5) ALL: Review EL Accommodation and Participation forms already completed and make any appropriate adjustments, send revised plans to your STC and the DDOT’s office Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit MARCH Attend county-wide D-PLC for ESL teachers (March 2, 2017 at 4PM, Central) Complete second term FLEP Monitoring Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit ELEMENTARY: Attend VGLA work session on March 20, 2017 at Central (if applicable) APRIL Complete VGLA Portfolios (due April 17, 2017) Attend county-wide ESL D-PLC meeting on April 27, 2016 at Central Assist in administration of SOL tests ELEMENTARY: Collaborate with Kindergarten teachers on K-Registration and schedule WAPT testing for rising K students ELEMENTARY: Send monitoring forms for ineligible kindergarten students. Send Permission for ESL screening forms for any students who require rescreening. Once permission is received, test the students with the WIDA MODEL. Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit MAY Assist in administration of SOL tests ELEMENTARY: Attend grade level meetings at your school to determine class rosters for next school year MIDDLE/HIGH: Begin schedule discussion with guidance and administration for next year Review student roster in ELLevation and complete a data audit 35 JUNE Attend county-wide D-PLC for ESL teachers (pending ACCESS score arrival date – tentatively June 6, 2017) File WIDA ACCESS Reports in ESL green folders Send reports and program exit letters for students who have exited Update and review green ESL folders AS NEEDED Work with guidance/office staff to place new students Attend RtI, Special Education, and other student meetings Request Dual Language Assessments through the RtI process Request translators/interpreter services through the FCPS IT Work Order System 36 Section 5: Assessments STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS This section provides information regarding the participation of ELs in assessments required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or FCPS. Guidelines for participation, including possible exemptions and accommodations may change during the year. Please review the Virginia Department of Education Guidelines for Participation in the Virginia Assessment Program for EL Students for the most current information. The guidelines are located at the following address: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/participation/lep_guidelines.pdf PARTICIPATION IN ASSESSMENTS In general, English Learners must be included in the Virginia assessments as soon as they are required or as early as their proficiency level allows. In addition to meeting federal and state compliance requirements, ELs must participate in assessments to: Provide diagnostic information to assist in instructional decisions; Monitor progress in the ESL program; and Monitor progress in mainstream content-area classes 37 ENGLISH LEARNER (EL) COMMITTEE PURPOSE The EL Committee determines how ELs will participate in the Virginia Assessment Program and decides which, if any, testing accommodations are appropriate. The EL Committee determines an EL’s participation in statewide assessments based on data collected from each student’s educational records. MEMBERS Members of the EL Committee include: ESL Teacher* All appropriate content area teacher(s)* Administrator or designee* Guidance counselor Appropriate specialist(s) who work with the student; and Parent or guardian EL student (when appropriate) *REQUIRED DUTIES The ESL teacher assembles the EL Committee in order to review and document the most meaningful testing accommodation for each individual EL in grades 3 through 12. The committee completes the appropriate EL Participation and Accommodation Form in ELLevation. Forms must be submitted to the office of the Division Director of Testing by the appropriate due dates (dates vary for elementary, middle, and high school). APPEALING THE COMMITTEE’S RECOMMENDATION The parent/guardian or student, if over 18, may appeal the recommendation made by the EL Committee. Such appeals will be heard by the EL Committee. If there is an appeal made to remove an exemption or accommodation, the committee may do so. The committee may not grant an appeal for an exemption or accommodation that is not allowed for that student under the existing testing guidelines. If for any reason the EL Committee decides to amend its testing 38 recommendations for a student, changes should be made in ELLevation. The new forms should be printed and signed and copies sent to the STC and the DDOT’s office. EXEMPTIONS FOR FCPS ASSESSMENTS FCPS benchmark assessments allow exemption for certain EL students. The EL Committee may decide that participating in an assessment, even with accommodations, would be inappropriate for a particular EL student. The EL Committee may choose to exempt the student from the entire test, certain sub-sections of the test, or an administration of the test. DETERMINING ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ASSESSMENTS Accommodations for ELs are determined based on instructional need, assessment data, and WIDA ACCESS for ELLs® proficiency levels. The EL Committee should specify each EL’s participation in the Virginia Assessment Program for each content area using one of the following options: SOL test with no accommodations SOL test with accommodations (listing specific accommodations) Plain English versions of the grades 3 through 8 Mathematics and Algebra I tests (see Table 1 for eligibility criteria) Virginia Grade Level Alternative (VGLA) Reading assessment (see Table 1 for eligibility criteria) Exemption from testing where permitted ELs who receive accommodations through 504 plans and/or IEPs should also receive all appropriate EL accommodations. Please refer to the Virginia Department of Education Guidelines for Participation in the Virginia Assessment Program for LEP Students for the most current information. The guidelines are located at the following address: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/participation/lep_guidelines.pdf 39 PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS AND LITERACY SCREENING (PALS) GRADES K-3 The PALS test is a state assessment that is used as a diagnostic reading test. Determining the Participation of ELs Exemptions It may not be appropriate for newcomer ELs at lower proficiency levels to participate in PALs assessments. The ESL teacher should collaborate with the classroom teacher, reading specialist, and/or school administration to determine if an exemption is appropriate for an EL student. Exemptions from PALs testing are for level 1 ELs. Testing Accommodations None. COGNITIVE ABILITIES TEST (COGAT) AND ITBS Requirements for Participation of EL Students EL students are not required to take the CogAT or the ITBS; however, they should be given the opportunity to attempt it when appropriate. ELs may take only one or two of the three subtests. Each student’s level of participation is determined by the ESL teacher in collaboration with the classroom teacher. Determining the Participation of LEP Students Exempting Allowable as determined by the ESL teacher in collaboration with the classroom teacher. Accommodations Teachers may decide to give only one or two of the three subtests. Refer to CogAT manual for more specific information. Considerations The CogAT is administered to assist in screening for the gifted program. The CogAT should only be administered under standard conditions because scores are interpreted using national norms. Note: The Naglieri Test (a non-verbal assessment tool) is available in the School Board Office if the committee decides that an alternative assessment is necessary. Please contact the ESL Supervisor for more information regarding this test. 40 Section 6: DEFINITION OF TERMS English Learner (EL) This term may be used synonymously with Limited English Proficient (LEP) and was formerly English Language Learner (ELL). EL is the term used in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). English as a Second Language (ESL) English as a Second Language (ESL) is the name of the FCPS program to support English Learners attain proficiency in English while mastering academic content. English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Some school districts use this term instead of ESL. It is synonymous with ESL. Language Minority Students Language Minority Students are from homes where a language other than English is used. A language minority student may be an EL, Bilingual, or primarily a Monolingual English speaker. Limited English Proficient (LEP) Term used for English Learners in previous versions of the law. Formerly LEP Students (FLEP) Students who have exited the ESL program who are monitored for a period of two calendar years. They are included in the LEP subgroup. WIDA WIDA is a consortium of states whose goal is to advance academic language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators. WIDA creates the ACCESS for ELLs assessments. 41 Section 7: ESL PROGRAM FORMS COMPLETE LIST OF ESL PROGRAM FORMS PF1 ESL Green Folder PF2E / PF2S Home Language Registration Form (English / Spanish) PF4 Referral for ESL Screening PF5E /PF5S Permission for ESL Screening (English/Spanish) PF6 Parental Notification of Placement letter – generated in ELLevation, available in 28 languages PF8 Dually Identified Service Form PF9E / PF9S Refusal of ESL Services/Opt-Out Form (English / Spanish) PF10E / PF10S ESL Progress Report based on WIDA Standards (English/Spanish) PF12E/ PF12S Final Exit Parent Letter (English / Spanish) PF13E /PF13S Grades 3 – 8 EL Committee Parent Letter (English / Spanish) PF14 EL Accommodations Form – generated in ELLevation PF15E / PF15S Grades 9-12 EL Committee Parent Letter (English / Spanish) PF18 LEP Student Summary for Content Area Teachers (can be replaced with ELLevation student information forms) PF20E / PF20S Parent Invitation to LEP Committee Meeting (English / Spanish) PF21 FLEP Monitoring Forms – completed in ELLevation ESL PROGRAM FORMS NO LONGER USED PF11 Final Program Exit Form PF16 Request for Interpreter/Translator (requests now made through the IT Work Order system) 42 43
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