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English Learner (EL) » English Learner (EL)

English Learner (EL)

English Learner (EL) Program: 

 

Our Commitment

The aim of the English Learner (EL) Program at Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School (BART) is to provide linguistically and culturally diverse students with instruction that will assist them in English language development and in mastering academic subject matter content. We are committed to offering a program which will meet the needs of our English Learners (EL's) both academically and as lifelong citizens of the community.

Program Goals:

  • To ensure that students whose native language is not English are provided with sufficient direct English Language Development (ELD) instruction to develop proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
  • To provide learners with access to comprehensible instruction in all content areas so that they will be able to reach their full academic potential.
  • To monitor the progress of learners using formal and informal assessment tools to ensure that learners are progressing.
  • To ensure that all English Learners are provided with equal access to school programs and services including, but not limited to, art, music, physical education, advanced placement programs, extra-curricular activities, Special Education, and state assessment preparation and support.
  • To encourage the families of our English Learners to participate in the education of their child.
 

Identification Process

In compliance with federal law (Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) and Massachusetts state law (M.G.L. c. 71A), BART uses the following process to identify students who are English Learners:

  1. Home Language Survey (HLS): The HLS is administered during enrollment. If any non-English language is indicated, the student is scheduled for an English proficiency assessment.
  2. Initial Assessment: The student is assessed with the WIDA Screener or WIDA MODEL.
  3. Identification and Placement: A student is identified as an EL and is eligible for English Language Education (ELE) services if their assessment scores meet state-approved criteria.
 

(Mandatory Notification) Parents/guardians are notified in writing of the initial assessment results and recommended program placement within 30 calendar days of the start of the school year or within two weeks for students who enroll later.

Program Model: Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)

BART provides an SEI program, which includes:

  • English Language Development (ELD) Instruction: Direct instruction from a licensed English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, focused on the development of academic English in all four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).
  • Sheltered Content Instruction: Core content area instruction provided by SEI-endorsed teachers who use specialized strategies to make the content comprehensible while promoting English language acquisition.
 

Parent/Guardian Rights

Parents/guardians have the right to decline or waive the recommended ELE services:

  • Opt Out: Parents/guardians may choose to decline direct ELD support. If a student is "opted out," the student remains classified as an EL for state and federal accountability, is monitored for progress, and must take the annual ACCESS for ELs assessment. The student is still entitled to receive sheltered content instruction from SEI-endorsed teachers.
  • Request a Waiver: Parents/guardians also have the right to request a waiver for an alternative instructional program, such as Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE), subject to state requirements (M.G.L. c. 71A).
 

Annual Assessment and Program Exit

  • Annual Assessment: All identified ELs, including those whose parents have opted out, are required to take the annual state-mandated English proficiency assessment, ACCESS for ELLs, to measure progress in acquiring academic English.
  • Reclassification (Exit): An EL is reclassified as a Former English Learner (FEL) once they meet the state-mandated exit criteria: an Overall ACCESS Composite score of > 4.2 AND a Literacy Composite score of > 3.9.
  • Monitoring After Exit: Students who have been reclassified are monitored for a period of four full academic years to ensure continued academic success in the mainstream classroom.
 
For more information contact Clay Connor, [email protected]