ELL parent newsletter
September, 2023
Translate this newsletter
Find the box to the right to translate this newsletter.
Encuentre la caja a la derecha para traducir este boletin.
ابحث عن المربع الموجود على اليمين لترجمة هذه النشرة الإخبارية.
Найдите поле справа, чтобы перевести этот информационный бюллетень.
找到右侧的框以翻译此时事通讯。
Tìm ô bên phải để dịch bản tin này.
Please read the following information to better understand ESOL services
ELLs will be graded on the general education standards, benchmarks, and course content requirements; however, the English language arts (ELA), content, and special area teachers will provide, differentiated strategies, and instructional and assessment accommodations to provide comprehensible instruction at the learner’s level of English language proficiency and give the student the opportunity to learn content, even with limited English proficiency.
English Language Learners will not receive unsatisfactory or failing grades if English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) strategies and accommodations appropriate to the English proficiency level of the student have not been implemented as required by the Florida Consent Decree. Additionally, ELLs will not receive unsatisfactory or failing grades based solely on lack of English language proficiency. An ELL committee is required before retaining an ELL. Evidence that the student has been provided with accommodations and strategies based on the student’s English language proficiency must be presented at the ELL committee meeting.
In order to provide comprehensible instruction and give ELLs access to content and the opportunity to learn, the ELA, content area, and special area teachers will provide differentiated assignments and ESOL strategies, and instructional and assessment accommodations in accordance with the Florida Consent Decree.
Promotion or retention decisions may not be made for an individual ELL based on English language proficiency or solely on a score on any single assessment instrument, whether such assessment instrument is part of the statewide assessment program or of a particular district’s formal assessment process. Schools should review the mandatory grade 3 promotion/retention policy if the student is a 3rd grade student who scored a level 1 on the state ELA Assessment.
How are ESOL services provided and monitored?
ESOL students have the same rights to education as any other student.
ELA teachers/English language arts (teachers that provide instruction in reading and writing) have the biggest responsibility in supporting the language acquisition and academic performance of ESOL students.
We are committed to providing extensive training for ELA teachers on how to modify lessons and accommodate the needs of students who are learning the language. Nevertheless, all teachers are responsible for implementing strategies and accommodations in their classes, regardless of the content area, to ensure equal access to education for English language learners (ESOL/ELL).
Teachers of core subjects (ELA, Math, Science) are required to document accommodations/modifications used in their classroom to be in compliance.
Some schools have an ESOL IA (Bilingual instructional assistance for ESOL) if they have 15 active ESOL students or more who speak the same language. The IA provides extra support to those students who have the lowest English language proficiency; she/he alternates her schedule but does not replace classroom instruction and she/he is not the student ESOL teacher.
Even though our ESOL instructional assistants have a very important role in supporting our students, we ensure that all ESOL students receive services even in schools without an ESOL IA.
In addition, Student Support Specialists, identify students eligible for ESOL services, monitor ESOL students who have exited the program, and keep schools in compliance with state and federal laws.
ESOL Instructional Trainer Coaches are responsible for supporting classroom teachers, administrators, and staff by focusing work directly on improving instruction as the primary avenue to improve ELL students' outcomes.
Curriculum Specialists oversee Title III Programs, Extended School Day, Extended School Year, Professional Development, English Language Development Courses, and ESOL Endorsement Courses.
Pasco County works towards ensuring equal access to the curriculum and special programs offered to those students who qualify. Examples of these are Gifted, Advanced Placement (AP courses for college credit), International Baccalaureate (IB four-year program for college credit), Exceptional Student Education (ESE), AICE (Advance International Certificate of education-Cambridge), and many others.
Some schools offer ELD (English language development) classes for newly arrived ESOL students where the main focus is on their English language development.
Student in the spot light
Our student of the month is Milagro Cuevas-Padron who started school with us at Hudson Academy in January 2023.
Milagro describes her beginning stage at the school in the US as feeling full of enthusiasm, she was eager to continue learning, reflecting the value placed on education in her native country Cuba. She explains how in Cuba, students are taught to be very disciplined with their studies, always paying attention, completing work to the very best of their abilities, and with a sense of pride for knowledge itself.
She learned some English there that helped her understand the basics and feel confident to add more to her knowledge with dedication and support.
Unfortunately, shortly after school began, she encountered some challenges with a group of girls. In Milagro's own words, this made her feel unwelcome, lost, and depressed. Luckily, she received the support needed from the school administration and the ESOL program addressing the issue thoroughly and offering options for Milagro to be able to feel comfortable and thrive at her new school.
Even though this incident was difficult for Milagro and her parents who used to feel a big sense of community at the school in Cuba, they were able to express their concerns and be heard. This school year Milagro describes feeling “so much better”; she also continues her hard work as proven by an increase in her English skills and straight A’s in her report card as of now.
Milagro described her teachers as always being supportive, answering her questions, and frequently providing her with packages in Spanish. She spends a lot of time completing homework daily because she still feels the need to translate the material and, on most occasions, write in her native Spanish and then use a translation tool to transfer her answers.
When asked about the most difficult task in school, she shared how taking district tests, due to the length and using a word-to-word translation, can be extremely difficult even when provided extended time.
She has also grown in her confidence to ask questions in class and feels that her social English skills have improved considerably in part because her parents have limited English and she is the one who does more of the talking in social settings.
Milagro was also part of our ESOL summer program where she was able to practice the English language, make some friends, and create art. She enjoyed the interactions with her teacher who made her laugh.
She is excited to continue her education after high school and we are confident she will be a wonderful representation of what our ESOL students are capable of accomplishing.
We are here to support you!
Please contact us if you have questions or concerns regarding your student ESOL services.
Andrea Knauber
ELL parent and community ITC
(813)794-2517