English as a Second Language Identification
An English Language Learner is a student who may hear and/or speak another language at home. When a new student comes to our school, the family is asked to complete a Home Language Survey. These are directed to the ELL specialist for evaluation. State-mandated assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing are done to determine if services are needed and to what extent.
At Owen, ESL services are delivered in two different manners, push-in and pull-out. When students receive push-in services, ESL instruction is delivered in the students' grade level classroom. The ESL and classroom teacher co-teach, which means both teachers are equally involved in the planning, implementation, and assessment of classroom instruction.
When students receive pull-out instruction, ESL services are delivered outside of their regular classrooms in a small group setting. ESL instruction is based on district grade level curriculum during WIN time. During WIN time, students are being pulled out of their classrooms by various teachers. Students in the classroom are working independently or seeing their classroom teacher for guided reading; therefore, students are not missing core content while they are out of the classroom to receive ELL services.
Students are usually seen in a pull-out setting in small groups, for 30 minute sessions, 1-5 days per week. Grouping is by grade and/or skill level. Students with varying primary languages are mixed in these groups. The ELL specialist teaches and supports the students only in English. Service will continue until the student gains proficiency as evidenced by the annual state ACCESS language proficiency test.