Retention of English Learners

RETENTION OF ENGLISH LEARNER STUDENTS

Retention of an EL student should not be based solely upon their level of English language proficiency.  Prior to considering retention of an EL student, the following points will be addressed in an English Learning Plan (ELP) meeting comprised of the student’s teacher(s), EL staff member(s), administrator(s), and the student’s parents/guardians. Documentation and results of the ELP meeting must be kept in the student’s cumulative folder. 

• The ELD Teacher should consider the length of time a student has been enrolled in the school  in order to determine whether retention is an appropriate choice.

• The student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) should be contacted when a student is not performing at grade level. All communication should be documented and in the parent(s)/guardian(s) native language. Documentation may include phone calls, progress reports, report cards, sample work, etc.

• Every ELL is required to have an English Learning Plan (ELP).  It is important to ensure that the ELP has been fully implemented and documentation has been provided for any changes or updates made to the ELP.  The ELP is a fluid document that should be revisited and updated as new data becomes available but not less than once per school year.

• An EL should be receiving English language development throughout the school day via their CLAD credentialed General Education teacher in combination with ELD classes specifically designed to support language development.

• There must be a collection of multiple data points showing that an ELL is consistently failing to meet grade level expectations on screening and progress monitoring instruments. Retention decisions for EL should not be based on one specific piece of data.