English Language Learners (ELL's) Strategies for Supporting ELL Students and Their Families

ELL Teachers Mrs. Beth Garrett, Miller ES Mrs. Sabrina Piscitelli, Miller ES Mrs. Maura Czerepinski, Highview ES Mrs. Liz McTigue, Barr MS Mrs. Carol Ryan, NHS Mrs. RoseAnn Mercado, Family Resource Center Mrs. Rose Linsalato, Miller Bilingual Social Worker

Defining English Language Learners NYS Limited English Proficient (LEP) Identified by Language Assessment Battery-Revised (LAB-R) Remains a LEP student until passes the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) Must reach proficiency within 3 years or file an extension for services

Transitional English Language Learners Former LEP students (FLEP) Students who reach Proficiency level on NYSESLAT but who still are at risk for academic failure Read below grade level Lack background knowledge English is not the home language

Challenges… ELL’s must take NYSESLAT every year until they reach proficiency level Students are expected to reach proficiency in three years Students who reach “proficiency” require support to remain proficient and continue to develop English language skills

NYSESLAT Performance Let’s look at how are LEP students are performing…

Challenges New York State Testing Program August 2006: must administer ELA to ELL’s who have been enrolled in school in US for one year or more ELL’s may take content area tests in their native language. If test is not available, they may have oral translations of the test ELL’s must meet Regents requirements for HS diploma Additional Challenge: Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE)

NYS LEP Results Let’s look at how are LEP students in grades 3-8 are performing on ELA and Math…

Former LEP Results Let’s look at how our transitional students are performing…

Responses to Challenges Instructional Materials Lower level texts, bilingual texts Computer programs Waterford Reading Reading A to Z, RAZ Kids Achieve3000 ESL ReadingSmart ELLIS program Instructional Programs Small groups for ELA and content area Read 180 PAF Push in support in classrooms ELA Academy Bring Samples

Extended Support to Families Adult ESL classes Library Nights Puppet show Translators at Parent Teacher Meetings Collaboration with Family Resource Center

Parent Meetings

Puppet Show

Family Resource Center Parent / Child Home Program Donation Drives Transportation Fund Scholarship Fund Summer Backpack Enrichment Books for Families ELLIS for Parents Halloween Costumes Parent / Child Home Program: 2 home visits weekly for 23 weeks. Visitor brings new book or toy Donation Drives - Car seats, clothing, books & toys (collaboration with Cub Scouts, Brownies, teachers and staff) Transportation for parents to go to school events Scholarship for Enrichment @ Miller, HV, Barr; for HW Club at HV Backpack – fun educational things to do over the summer Halloween costumes from Toys R Us

Goals for ESL Program Provide the appropriate levels of support to ELL’s as indicated by proficiency level and need Continue to develop programs that help students meet the NYS standards and requirements Continue to support students and their families through outreach programs Continue to meet the needs of transitional students who must meet the same NYS standards as their native English-speaking peers ESL program must include language arts & content area components 1 unit/week = 180’ (Advanced Students K-12) 2 units = 360’ (Intermediate Students K-12, Beginning Students K-8) 3 units = 540’ (Beginning Students 9-12)