ESOL
Program Goals
Sarah Smith Elementary provides English Language Learners (ELLs) a program of English language instruction, including content-based language instruction, and supports cultural adjustment so that ELL students can become fully proficient in English and meet the same challenging academic content and student achievement standards that other students are expected to meet.
Services
The ESOL teacher assesses the English language proficiency of students and responds to questions related to the program posed by parents and the community. The ESOL teacher is also responsible for implementing the curriculum, monitoring, staff development, assessments, and parent outreach as they relate to English Language Learners. The ESOL teacher offers instruction to students at six levels of English language proficiency. Sarah Smith Elementary provides ESOL services using a variety of models including Dual Immersion, Sheltered Instruction, and the Push-In Model. A Spanish-speaking parent liaison, along with the APS World Language Department, are available to assist and support our ESOL families.
Placement, Assessment, and Exit Criteria
Students who are eligible for the ESOL program are assigned an English language proficiency Level 1-5 based on results of the World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium Screener at the time of registration. ELL students are exited from the ESOL program when they reach Level 5 on the ACCESS placement test given in January of each year. Parents are notified if the child qualifies for ESOL services or if the child exits the program.
Instructional Program
The program for English language learners is designed to improve the education of English language learners by assisting them in learning English and in meeting state content standards. Curriculum follows grade level standards of learning and WIDA standards. The state of Georgia joined the World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium and adopted the following English language proficiency standards for implementation:
- Standard 1: English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes.
- Standard 2: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Language Arts.
- Standard 3: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Mathematics.
- Standard 4: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Science.
- Standard 5: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.
Instruction is adapted to student’s English proficiency level to assist students in meeting the same state academic content and achievement standards as all students are expected to meet.