Overview

Southeast Polk’s English Language Learner program is designed to help Emergent Bilingual students:

• become English proficient in the language skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening at their grade level.

• become proficient in content at their grade level.

• develop pride in their own bilingualism and biculturalism.

Program Specifics

• Our program consists of both English language development and access to the core curriculum.

• The official definition of the program at SEP:
  English as a Second Language (ESL): A program of techniques, methodology, and special curriculum designed to teach ELs English language skills, which may include listening, speaking, reading, writing, study skills, content vocabulary, and cultural orientation. Further, ESL instruction is usually in English with little use of native language.

• The official language on intensity and frequency of services:
  Intensity and frequency of services must be such that services for each Emergent Bilingual student are reasonably calculated to ensure benefit based on each student’s individual needs in both language domains and academic learning. This is true until each Emergent Bilingual student is deemed proficient.  EEOA and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act using Castañeda standards, 648 F.2d at 1010.
  There are no prescribed number of days per week or hours per day to meet with Emergent Bilingual students. The above is the only official guidance. Please use your professional judgement using the student’s progress in English proficiency and core curriculum to decide intensity and frequency. 

• Emergent Bilinguals with disabilities (IEPs, 504s, etc.) at all proficiency levels must receive direct ESL instruction unless services have been waived.

• Students whose parents have waived services must take ELPA21 every year until they achieve English proficiency. 

Exiting the Program

• Exit Criteria: The student achieves the required score for proficiency on ELPA21 (This is the only exit requirement beginning spring of 2019).

• Students can only be exited between the distribution date of ELPA21 scores and Oct 1 each year.

• Inform parents with EL-10 - English Learner Program Exit Letter from TransACT and place a copy in the student’s digital cumulative record folder student information > program participation > Student forms. 

• The student is placed on the watch list for two years.

• The student does not take the summative ELPA21 once they are exited. 

Cumulative Records Folder

Starting in the Fall 2024, the following documents will be uploaded to Infinite Campus and housed within student information > program participation > Student forms.  Click here for a step-by-step video.

Naming convention: First Name Last Name MM_YYYY  ESOL Example: Chris Bacon 05_2023 ESOL

For the individual letters, you can add an abbreviation to the naming scheme example as shown below:

Chris Bacon 05_2023 ESOL (original)

Chris Bacon 05_2023 ESOL_PS

Chris Bacon 05_2023 ESOL_PT

Chris Bacon 05_2023 ESOL_SW

These are the most common letters...

PS = Placement/Scores

PT = Permission to Test

SW = Signed Waiver

E = Exit

• Copy of student’s ELPA21 screener results

• Copy of student’s ELPA21 summative results

• Copy of student’s placement form: EL-02 (When completing the program placement letters, the official title of the program we use at SEP is English as a Second Language (ESL). On the letter,  do not use Sheltered Instruction, Dual Language Instruction, or anything else.)

  1. • Wording on placement letter: 

       • INSTRUCTIONAL Method(s): A program of techniques, methodology, and special curriculum designed to teach ELs English language skills, which may include listening, speaking, reading, writing, study skills, content vocabulary, and cultural orientation. Further, ESL instruction is usually in English with little use of native language. 

       • PROGRAM CONTENT FOR MEETING STATE PROFICIENCY

       • Measurable goals tied to data:

1. Language goal(s) based on ELP Standards

2. Academic goal(s) based on Iowa Common Core Standards

• 1. • • EXIT CRITERIA

         • The student achieves the required score for proficiency on ELPA21.

• Copy of parent refusal form: EL-05

• Copy of exiting program form: EL-10

• ELPA21 Screener Parent Permission Documentation

Annual TransACT Notices

• TransACT (Parent Notices) website

Overview

Interpretation Request Form 

Emergency Interpretation Protocol

Lau Plan

New EL teacher checklist

Allowable Accommodations for English Learners

Translated FAST Reading Family Letters

ELPA21 Testing Headphone Checkout (Lending Library)

Required Annual Trainings

Title III trainings

• ELPA21 Dynamic Screener Training Modules

• ELPA21 Summative Assessment Training Modules

• Alt-ELPA21 Summative Training for Test Administrators and Scorers (if you'll be administering the Alt-ELPA)

• Alt-ELPA Test Coordinator Training (if you'll be administering the Alt-ELPA)

Grades 3-5 ELL Vocabulary Lessons

English Learner Performance Measures (CFAs from ELPA21)

ELPA21 Poster

Southeast Polk Community Resource Directory

Resources for SEP Families

RACI Network (Refugee Resource Directory)

ArtForce Iowa