When to Check the ESL Box

• Check the ESL box if the student's program is modified ​(i.e. is working on grade level curriculum, simplified down to a basic level, or doing the same task as the class, but marked more easily.) All of the students who get ESL service are entitled to modifications as required. Find out more about modifications and accommodations in the Programming menu above.

• Modifications include when expectations are omitted or expectations are simplified.

There is a statement on the 4th page of the report card which explains that if the ESL box is checked, the student is working on modified goals. Some teachers also choose to put a statement in the comment, like "____ is working on modified goals because of his/her English language needs.", but you don't need to. Some teachers also choose to highlight the statement to make it clearer for parents.

The top of the fourth page of the Provincial Report Card includes the ESL statement,

"Achievement is based on expectations modified from the curriculum expectations for the grade to support English language learning needs."

• If students are making progress towards the modified goals you've set, in general, they earn a B.

• If they go above and beyond, they may be higher.

• if you've set reasonable expectations and they are consistently falling short even with support, they may get a lower grade.

• A student who is in their 4th or 5th year as a modified ELL but still needs modifications may need to eventually have an IEP. A lower grade may be an indicator that they are struggling. If you feel they are only deserving of a C or D, please contact your ESL Resource Teacher to discuss. An IST is a necessary next step.

The code “R” represents achievement that falls below level 1 and is used in the evaluation and reporting of student achievement in Grades 1 to 8 (Growing Success, p.41). When teachers use an “R” it means that there will be the need to develop strategies that address the student’s learning needs to support success in learning.

• In Grades 1 to 8, students with an Individual Education Plan [IEP] or beginning ELLs who require modified or alternative expectations and beginning English language learners with modified expectations would rarely receive an “R”. (Growing Success, p. 41)

• When an “R” is used, parents/guardians must be contacted and involved prior to the Report Card being sent home. Parents/Guardians of English language learners may require the assistance of a qualified interpreter to fully understand the meaning and implications of the use of “R”.

Newly Arrived ELLs:

For recently arrived ELLs it may be appropriate to use Code “I” though this does need to be discussed with your school administration.

Code “I” may be used with the following conditions:

• to indicate that insufficient evidence is available to determine a letter grade or percentage mark

• when the student has been in an Ontario elementary school six weeks or less (Growing Success, p. 42)

The teacher must include on of the following statement:

“(Student’s name) has very recently arrived in our school and is in the beginning stages of adjusting to school in Canada. For this reason, a (grade/mark) has not been provided for this report card.”

"Currently, (Student’s name) is developing the language needed to be assessed using the curriculum expectations. (Student’s name) has been provided with program modifications which enable him/her to be successful at his/her current language ability level."

• The comment must also include anecdotal information that relates to the work completed to date by the student in the strand/subject, noting the student’s strengths and next steps. It is recognized that the comment for a recently-arrived ELL will represent a limited assessment sample of student work and limited instructional time with the student.