ESOL Standard of Service

APS is a charter district and schools are afforded flexibility and autonomy; however, the district has identified non-negotiables that all schools must follow. State guidance on ESOL programming is reviewed each year and the APS Standards of Service are updated to ensure the diverse needs of ELs are met throughout all schools in the district. 

ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) 

• Compliance with state, federal, and LEA regulations 

• Adherence to 30-day rule for newly enrolled students 

• Schedule ALL identified ESOL students for ESOL program for entire year 

• State-approved delivery models 

• State-required minimum number of instructional minutes, daily unless approved in advance 

• District-approved resources 

• Implementation of ESOL WIDA standards and ESOL

ESOL Instructional Program (Elementary School) 

In compliance with state, federal, and LEA regulations, all identified ESOL students are required to receive the ESOL instructional program for the entire school year. Students who qualify for special education must receive the ESOL instructional program from the ESOL teacher unless the IEP team determines English language development will be provided by Special Education and notes that additional language support in the IEP. 

• State-approved delivery models: Push In, Scheduled ESOL, Sheltered Core Content, Pull Out, Resource Center / Lab (advance approval from ESOL Director), and Dual Language Immersion 

• State-required minimum number of instructional minutes: K-5 = 45 minutes/day or 225 minutes/week. Grades 4th - 5th may receive an additional 45 minutes/day for a total of 90 minutes/day or 450 minutes/week. 

• ES ESOL Scheduling Guidance can be found HERE 

• All ESOL instruction must be daily unless authorized in advance by District ESOL personnel. 

• ESOL teacher participation and engagement in all district ESOL PLCs is critical to the success of the program 

• An ESOL teacher’s participation in grade level PLCs, IEP meetings, MTSS meetings, and any other meetings reviewing EL student progress provides a platform for ESOL teachers to actively support staff in addressing the unique needs of EL students.

• Implementation of District ESOL-approved resources is a crucial step in ensuring effective EL instruction. These resources are specifically designed to support the language and academic development of ELs. 

• ESOL instructional elements for all ESOL lessons: WIDA Standards Framework with appropriate content GPS, Content Objective, Language Objective, Formative Assessments, appropriate scaffolds and supports to ensure access to grade-level standards 

• Embed Ellevation Strategies into Instructional Planning for all teachers with ELs in their classroom(s). 

• Supplemental programs for ELs who require native language supports or intensive literacy development: 

o Imagine Learning (Cantonese, Japanese, Russian, Somali, Tagalog) 

o Lexia Learning (Arabic, French, Haitian-Creole, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, or Vietnamese) 

• Supplemental program for newcomer or other ELs who require oracy development: 

o Lexia English