Program Options
EL Program
In Ohio, no specific type of program is prescribed. However, in order to meet federal obligations outlined in the Dear Colleague Letter, the program must be "educationally sound in theory and effective in practice." The program must be effective in meeting the education needs of its language minority students. Whatever program is selected, it must provide instruction that leads to academic achievement and timely acquisition of English proficiency.
The type of English Language Development (ELD) provided in Fairfield City School District is determined initially by results of the language screener given to the student. In each subsequent year, the type of service offered is determined on an individual basis with input given by the EL teacher, tutor(s), classroom/content teacher(s), administrator(s), and/or the parent(s)/guardian(s). The team is to consider all information when making program/service decisions (OELPS/OELPA levels, Ohio State Tests, reading levels, previous school experiences, and previous classroom performances).
EL students may participate in all curricular and extracurricular opportunities in Fairfield along with the designated ELD services. To find out more about all available course options, contact your student's teacher, counselor, or building administrator. For students in grades 6 through 12, you can also view the Program of Studies on the district website.
Curriculum
Fairfield City School District uses Vista Higher Learning for EL students in grades kindergarten through 12.
EL Services in Fairfield
As noted above, EL students in Fairfield are provided English Language Development (ELD) services in different ways. The specific service options offered by Fairfield for EL students are shown below. The service(s) chosen will be documented in the student's EL plan.
English Language Arts for ELs
These classes are also known as Replacement or Sheltered English Language Arts (ELA) and are typically found in our secondary schools (grades 6 to 12). They are taught by a licensed ELA teacher who also has a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement. The class covers the grade level ELA standards, along with having concentrated instruction in how to listen, read, speak, write, and understand the English language. Our staff uses a variety of materials to meet the needs of their students. Methods may include conversation, games, computer programs, video presentations, and writing activities. This class is held during the regular school day as part of the student's daily schedule. Students are also scheduled into core content area classes where they practice their English skills while learning grade-level content.
ESL I, ESL II, and ESL III
These classes are typically found in our secondary schools (grades 6 to 12), and are taught by a licensed teacher who also has a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement. The focus in these classes is to provide language acquisition support using the English Language Proficiency standards and build background knowledge so the students can be successful in their grade-level content area classrooms. Purposeful instruction and activities are used with the four language domains: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. Methods may include conversation, games, computer programs, video presentations, and writing activities. This class is held during the regular school day as part of the student's daily schedule. Students are also scheduled into core content area classes where they practice their English skills while learning grade-level content.
Sheltered SLIFE cluster group
New to Fairfield City School District in the 2023-34 school year is a special sheltered SLIFE program, hosted at the Fairfield Freshman High School. Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) does not have a formal federal or state definition, however, in our district, these are students from the ages of 15-21 who are new to the U.S., have no English proficiency, and at least 3 years less of formalized education than their same-aged peers. These students are clustered in the same classes together and have dedicated EL tutor support throughout their day.
Pull-out support
This support is typically found in our elementary schools (grades kindergarten to 5), and are provided by an EL teacher or EL tutor. The purpose of the pull-out is to provide language acquisition support using the English Language Proficiency Standards and build background knowledge so the students can be successful in their grade-level content area classrooms. Pull-out support usually runs 30-40 minutes and can take place two to five days per week, depending on the level of the students.
Push-in support/In-class support
This service is provided to EL students at all grade levels. In the secondary level, only EL tutors push-in to content area classes, however, in the elementary push-in support could be implemented by an EL teacher or EL tutor. They provide assistance with understanding vocabulary, key concepts, and learning to participate in group discussions in class.
Teacher monitoring
Teacher monitoring may be provided to EL students who have almost reached English proficiency, students with significant cognitive disabilities, or students who have reached English proficiency according to OELPA or Alt-OELPA. Schools are required to monitor students who have exited the EL program for four years to ensure academic success. If a student begins to experience serious academic issues that are related to English proficiency, the school will provide the appropriate type of EL support.
Parent (or guardian) Right to Refuse Services
Parents may choose to opt out of all or particular EL services provided by the district and offered in a student's EL plan. Parents are entitled to guidance (in a language they can understand) about their child's rights, the range of EL services that their child could receive, and the benefits of such services.
School districts MUST NOT recommend that parents opt out for ANY reason.
If a parent decides to refuse EL services, they should be directed to the building administrator in order to ensure the parent is making a voluntary, informed decision.
For EL Teachers: View the Refusal of EL Services Instructions for more information.
It is important to note that schools must still take steps to provide opted-out EL students with access to its educational programs, monitor their progress, and offer EL services again if a student is struggling. Opted-out EL students will still be required to take OELPA until they receive the required proficiency score, meaning they will continue to be identified as an English Learner. For this reason, parents must continue to refuse services each subsequent school year but the school CANNOT automatically provide a refusal of services form or otherwise prompt a parent to opt-out. Opted-out EL students may also receive certain test accommodations (extended time and word-to-word dictionary).