Skip to Main Content


User-Defined Navigation:

ELL (English Language Learner) Program

 

Introduction
English language learners in the West Chester Area School District represent over 40 different languages and countries. In school year 2009-2010, the District had more than 380 ELL students.

Program Goal
The goal of the West Chester Area School District’s ELL Program is to develop English language proficiency and cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) in English language learners, so that they can function independently in the mainstream classroom setting. To this end, program instruction is conducted in English. The foundation for the curriculum is a standards-based curriculum aligned to the English Language Proficiency Standards PreK-5 and 6-12 and PDE’s Standards Aligned System (PDE SAS) ELL Overlay.

Identification and Placement
WCASD identifies and places potential ELL students using the following procedures:

  • Screening procedures, entry/exit criteria
    • If the home language survey (HLS) indicates that the student’s first language is other than English, speaks a language other than English, or a language other than English is spoken in the home, the student is assessed with the WIDA-APT.
    • The results of the WIDA-APT and grades (if available) from previous school will indicate whether or not a student will be considered an ELL.
    • The screening process for entry is based on the following:
      • Intake interview at time of registration
        • Home Language Survey
        • WIDA-APT results
        • Prior school records if available
      • Interview with parents/guardians
      • Interview with student
    • The process for exiting a student is based on the following:


Student and Parent/Guardian Orientation Procedures

  • At the time of registration, students and families are made aware of the programs, resources, and personnel who will support them in school.
  • A family/parent ELL/Title III Open House is held in October to acquaint the families of ELLs with the services available to them in the school district and in the community. Teachers, instructional assistants, caseworkers, and administrators are present to answer questions and to interpret as needed. One of the Title III Open Houses is conducted in Spanish for the families of the Spanish speakers.

Instructional Program:

  • Program Description: The District’s ELL program is an English as a second language program, and the language of instruction is English. The native or primary language may be used for purposes of clarification of concepts and/or instructions.
    • Planned Instruction/standards
    • The English language learner program is designed to enable ELLs to access mainstream curriculum and to achieve their personal best in the school setting as well as to become responsible citizens in the local, national, and worldwide community. Learners can best meet this goal through a standards-based curriculum which is aligned to students’ English language proficiency levels.
    • The English language proficiency levels are based on the WIDA English Language Proficiency Levels and PDE’s English Language Standards. PDE’s Standards Aligned System (SAS) ELL Overlay is instrumental in ensuring that instruction is standards based and of high academic quality.
    • Learners receive direct instruction using realia, vocabulary, graphic organizers, and other tangible means of communication. ELL teachers model strategies, allow students time to practice concepts, and reinforce academic standards. Instruction is based on Pennsylvania’s academic standards, the WIDA standards, and District standards.
    • Curriculum:
      • The ELL program follows a curriculum, which is based on PDE’s English Language Proficiency Standards and PDE’s standards for different curricular areas.
      • PDE’s ELL Overlay for the SAS helps classroom teachers align instruction to the standards.
      • WCASD has a newcomer curriculum for elementary students and for secondary students. Simplified checklists for the newcomer curriculum for elementary and secondary are posted here:
      • The ELL Instructional Framework provides information and a rationale for the curriculum. The ELL Instructional Framework is posted here.
    • Instructional Time: Instructional times for ELL are based on PDE’s BEC for English Language Learners and on the scheduling options at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. This information is in PDE’s BEC, Basic Educational Circular.
      • Level 1/Level 2 (Entering/Beginning): Two hours per day. This instruction may be a combination of instruction with the ELL teacher, reading specialist, and classroom teacher. When working with an ELL student, the teachers will all use strategies appropriate for English language learners.
      • Level 3 (Developing): One to two hours per day. This instruction may be a combination of instruction with the ELL teacher, reading specialist, and classroom teacher. When working with an ELL student, the teachers will all use strategies appropriate for English language learners.
      • Level 4 (Expanding): One hour per day. This instruction may be a combination of instruction with the ELL teacher, reading specialist, and classroom teacher. When working with an ELL student, the teachers will all use strategies appropriate for English language learners.
      • Level 5 (Bridging): Up to one hour per day. This instruction may be as the student needs dictate. When working with an ELL student, the teachers will all use strategies appropriate for English language learners.
      • Elementary Level: At the elementary level, the time with the different teachers will be reached in a collaborative manner always keeping in mind the English acquisition needs of the ELL. Instruction may be targeted, push-in, pull-out, content based and academically oriented.
      • Middle School: At the middle school level, children are scheduled into an ELL class or classes as their needs dictate.
      • High School: At the high school level, children are scheduled into an ELL class or classes as their needs dictate.

    • Exiting Students from the ELL Program:
      • WCASD exits ELL students from the ELL program using criteria set by the state. That criteria uses multiple measures, and they include the following:
        • Composite score on the WIDA-Access Assessment
        • Grades
        • PSSA scores
        • Input from teachers
      • Exiting Dually Identified Children (SPED and ELL):
        • Unless ELL children enter the school district with an IEP from another school district, they are usually identified as being an English language learner before they are identified as needing special education services.
        • The WCASD has protocols for identifying ELL children who might also need special education services. These protocols may be found here.*
        • ELL children may receive both special education services and English language learner services at the same time.

    • Assessment
      • WIDA-Apt: The WIDA-APT is the screening tool recommended by PDE for entry into the program.
      • WIDA-Access: The WIDA-Access is PDE’s standardized, state-wide test that assesses the progress of English language learners on an annual basis. Every ELL K-12 who is receiving direct instruction in the ELL Program participates in the WIDA-Access.
      • PSSA, PSSA-M, PASA: ELLs who are in their first year of instruction participate in the Math and Science PSSA. Beginning in their second year of instruction, ELLs will participate in these statewide standardized assessments in Reading, Mathematics, Science, and Writing. They participate with the specific accommodations that are allowed for English language learners.
      • All Other Assessments: ELLs participate in all other assessments given in their schools. They may participate with accommodations as their English language proficiency allows.

    • Student Participation in Related and Extracurricular Activities: Ells are encouraged to participate in any related school activities and extracurricular activities that interest them. For example, ELLs play sports, participate in theater programs, clubs, school international days, as well as any and all programs that all students have access to. English language learners are eligible for any scholarships for which they qualify. They also receive recognition from any community organizations just as all other students receive recognition.

    • Pupil Services:
      • Special Education Services: Special Education Services are available for students with demonstrated need. The district has a structured pre-referral process for ELLs. The district continues to conduct on-going staff development in the area of ELLs and special education.
      • Counseling: Guidance counselors are available in every school in the District.
      • Caseworkers: The district employs caseworkers, some of whom are bilingual. This staff facilitates the home/school connection and communication.
      • Gifted Services: Gifted Services are available for students who qualify for the gifted program.
      • Health: Nurses are available in every school in the District.

    • Professional Development
      • ELL Teachers
        • ELL staff meetings are held on a monthly basis. The staff meetings cover what is happening in the district as it relates to ELL issues as well as professional development opportunities.
        • ELL staff members attend workshops related to the profession.
        • ELL staff members have attained the Program Specialist Certification or its equivalency.
      • ELL Instructional Assistants
        • ELL instructional assistants meet throughout the year for professional development activities.
        • Their professional development revolves around issues that are germane to the ELL instructional assistants or they meet with the instructional assistants who work with special education children.
      • Non-ELL Staff
        • All inductees attend an ELL workshop as part of the inductee program. The workshop will either be face-to-face or online.
        • All faculty receive in-service regarding the laws, statutes, and regulations; teaching strategies; culture; and other instructionally related activities.
        • All administrators on management team are taking an on-line workshop that relates to English language learners. This differentiated workshop focuses on culture, law, acronyms, strategies, and the data.
        • The department collaborated with training offered to Aramark employees and to transportation employees.
      • Community Involvement
        • Two ELL Open Houses are held in the fall, one is totally in Spanish.
        • The ELL department is represented on district and school equity teams.
        • The ELL department partners with the health department for flu shots, with the library for literacy needs and library cards, with West Chester University to provide on-going support, and with other community organizations on an as-needed basis.

    • Complaint Resolution Process: Complaints may be resolved in the following manner:
      • First, discuss the situation with the ELL classroom teacher.
      • Second, if the situation cannot be resolved at this level, discuss it with the building principal.
      • Third if the situation cannot be resolved at the building level, discuss it with the ELL Supervisor.
      • Fourth, if the situation cannot be resolved at this level, discuss it with the Director of Pupil Services.


LINKS AND RESOURCES FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Instruction for ELLs

Literacy Resources for ELLs

Resources for Families

  • National Council of Teachers of Mathematics - Visit this National Council of Teachers of Mathematics webpage for information about 'new math' expectations in both English
  • ¡Colorin Colorado! for Families is a website created for families to provide information to help children become better readers.
  • PA PIRC - Pennsylvania Parent Information and Resource Center provides training and consultation to urban, rural, and suburban communities throughout Pennsylvania.
  • Hispanic Creo - Hispanic Creo’s mission is to improve educational outcomes for Hispanic children by empowering families.
  • Motivos is a bilingual magazine designed to empower Latino youths to explore their full potential and make informed choices about college, careers, and life.
  • GACLA - Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. Become involved at the state level with what is happening with the Latino population.

National Organizations

  • TESOL - Learn about what is happening in the world of English Language Learners
  • NABE - National Organization for Bilingual Educators

Pennsylvania Resource

  • PDE’s ELL Resource - Pennsylvania has a rich resource available for questions dealing with English Language Learners.

 



Contact: Patricia Verbovszky

 


* Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader