English to Speakers of Other Languages- Mission, Vision, Program Goals

Program Overview

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is a federally mandated instructional program for eligible English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12 (Georgia School Law Code 1981, § 20-2-156, enacted in 1985). The purpose of the ESOL language program is to provide English language development instruction and language support services to identified K-12 English Learners in Atlanta Public Schools for the purpose of increasing their English language proficiency and academic achievement.

The APS ESOL program is a distinct program designed to provide ESOL language instruction to eligible students from certified ESOL teachers and outreach and engagement activities to all limited English proficient and immigrant families. The responsibility for educating the whole English Learner student is shared by the regular classroom teachers and the ESOL teachers. Classroom teachers, ESOL teachers, and other support staff collaborate to determine the necessary instructional scaffolds and language-focused activities to make language and content as comprehensible as possible for ELs throughout the school day. The WIDA Consortium English Language Development (ELD) standards, integrated with the Georgia Standards of Excellence, guide the work of teachers to ensure the diverse needs of students are met. All APS schools utilize the state-approved ESOL delivery models. 

Mission Statement

A high-performing school district where all English Learners love to learn, teachers inspire, limited English families engage, and the community values linguistic and cultural diversity.

Vision Statement

Through a caring culture of equity, trust, and collaboration, every APS English Learner will graduate ready for college, career, and life.

Program Goals

The English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program of Atlanta Public Schools provides English Learners with support and instruction in the English language, U.S. culture, and academic and cognitive areas in order to ensure success in the classroom, school, and the community. The goals of the program are as follows:

• To develop competency in English in all four domains of language: listening, speaking, reading and writing;

• To integrate language, cognitive and academic instruction that enables students to develop English language proficiency and content area knowledge;

• To support the curriculum based on the Georgia Standards of Excellence while emphasizing social and academic language proficiency;

• To orient students and parents to the American culture and enable them to participate successfully in school and community life;

• To ensure grade-level appropriate content for all ELs regardless of English proficiency level;

• To ensure a focus on collaboration and shared accountability for the success of all English Learners.

The APS Multilingual Services team provides ESOL parent and community engagement and outreach and language translation/interpretation services. Per federal law and affirmed in APS Board Policy LEBB, all school – home and district – home communication must be in a language that parents understand. The APS Multilingual Programs & Services team assists in bridging the cultural and linguistic divides that often exist between the school and home through language support services, workshops, classes, trainings, and events that meet the unique linguistic and cultural needs of immigrant and limited English proficient families and enhance their engagement with their child's school and the APS community.