Parent Notification for New and Continuing ESL Program Students

1
Parent Notification for New and ContinuingESL
Program Students

• Central High School
• Jefferson County Public Schools

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AGENDA

• Welcome Introductions
• Reasons for ESL identification need for
  placement in ESL
• Level of English proficiency
• Academic achievement
• How ESL will meet educational strengths and needs
  of student
• How ESL program will help child learn English and
  meet academic standards
• Exit ESL Program requirements
• Expected rate of transition out of ESL classes
• Graduation requirements
• ESL parent rights and responsibilities

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ESL at Central High School

• Bilingual Instructor Jill Harmer Spanish

• ESL Teachers
• Lisa MorrisTrans 2, Junior and Senior English
• Ann Walsh Trans 1, 2, 3, and 4

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Why is my child in ESL?

• The law requires that language minority students
  be identified so that services can be offered.

5
How quickly does one learn English?

• If a student has had an uninterrupted education
  and is literate in her/his first language, full
  English language proficiency can happen in 3-5
  years
• If a student has had interrupted schooling and
  has first language literacy, full English
  language proficiency usually takes 5-7 years
• If a student has had no opportunity for formal
  education and/or does not read and write in
  her/his native language, full English language
  proficiency may take 7-10 years or longer

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How is my childs level of English proficiency
measured?

• W-APT WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test
• ACCESS Assessing Comprehension and
  Communication in English State to State
• Our goal is fluency in speaking, listening,
  reading, and writing 5.0 composite score on the
  test that is given in January. (Other factors
  may determine readiness to exit ESL program
  classes.)

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What does my child do at school all day?

• Students at CHS have 1 or 2 classes of ESL
  instruction in an ESL classroom with a specially
  trained ESL teacher.
• Students are expected to learn the same content
  as native English speakers. When they are not in
  the ESL classroom, they are in mainstream classes
  with other CHS students.
• ESL students who have been in the country for
  over one academic year are required to take all
  state-mandated assessments.

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What does the ESL program offer that can help my
child?

• Specially trained teachers
• Cooperative learning groups that are small and
  diverse
• Smaller classes and more individual instruction
• Special materials geared to the English Language
  Learner
• Teacher-monitoring of classes and collaboration
  with content classes
• Use of Technology/Computers

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What is needed to graduate?

• 4 credits of English
• 3 credits of math (Alg 1, Geometry, Alg II)
• 3 credits of science (Int A, Biology, Chemistry)
• 3 credits of social studies (Exploring Civics,
  World Civilization, US History)
• Humanities, PE/Health
• Computer applications
• Electives to equal 22 credits

10
How fast will my child learn English? It depends
on

• Attendance in school
• Opportunities for previous schooling
• Native language literacy
• Involvement in school
• Motivation and effort
• Independent reading!

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How does my child exit ESL?

• ACCESS Scores
• Demonstrated proficiency above what test scores
  may indicate
• Completion of sequenced ESL classes at the high
  school level
• Parents waive services

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How can parents help?

• Make sure your child comes to school every day.
• Ask your child about school. Show interest.
• Encourage your child to read daily.
• Call us with questions.
• Come to PT Conferences
• Try to help your students get enough sleep.
  Discourage them from late-night texting and
  chatting.

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Other resources

• Class blogs
• Family Resource Center
• Free after-school tutoring in math, science,
  English, and social studies
• Title I-provided tutoring from professional
  tutors, many of whom will come to your home!

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THANK YOU!

• We are honored to be the teachers of your
  children.
• Thank you for trusting us and for being here.
• Being a parent is the greatest challenge we have
  in life with the biggest reward.
• We all want what is best for our students.
• REMINDER Parent Conferences are October 6/11
  and February 13.