English
to Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL)
2009 – 2010
Mission
Statement - ESOL
The mission of the Language Services
Programs in Gwinnett County Public Schools is to support ELLs’ pursuit of
excellence by learning English and academic content in all content areas by
learning Academic Knowledge and Skills and meeting state standards. As a
program we strive to enhance the instructional experience of all English
language learners in all aspects of the school life.
Objectives
·
Provide high quality language
instruction programs that demonstrate effectiveness by:
-
increasing English proficiency
-
supporting student academic
achievement in all academic subjects
·
Support schools by providing
high quality pupil services through consistent assessment of middle and high
school students through the InternationalNewcomerCenter
-
initial assessment for
language proficiency
-
follow-up evaluation of
foreign transcripts
·
Provide high-quality
professional development to enhance the ability of teachers
-
to understand and use
curricula, assessment measures, and instructional strategies appropriate for
students with linguistically and
culturally diverse students
-
to improve instruction and
assessment for students from linguistically- and culturally-diverse backgrounds
·
Provide mechanisms and support
for schools for engaging parents of culturally and linguistically diverse
students in their children’s academic achievement
-
by providing professional
level interpreters for critical communication
with culturally and linguistically diverse families
-
by providing high quality
translations of school system communications through the online Language Bank
-
by providing Title III funded Parent Outreach Liaisons to high-density
elementary schools and Adolescent Outreach Specialists to high-density cluster
EXPLANATION
OF
DIRECT
SERVICESand
CONSULTATIVE SERVICES
In
the ESOL PROGRAM
In August 2007, GCPS implemented two
different service delivery models for students eligible for the state ESOL
program. The
first, Direct ESOL program services requires direct, daily
services from an ESOL endorsed/certificated teacher, delivered in accordance
with the state rule. Direct
ESOL Program services
are targeted to ELLs at lower levels (1.0- 3.9) of language proficiency.
This model is complemented by
an “AKS Modification and Intervention Plan for ELLs” to ensure congruent
instruction from the mainstream teacher and the ESOL teacher.
The needs of ELLs at higher
proficiency levels (4.0- 4.9) will be addressed in regular classroom settings
through Consultative English Language Learner Services
documented by individual “AKS Modification and Intervention Plan for ELLs” and
the consistent use of Quality-Plus Teaching Strategies.
Consultative English
Language Learner Services
are designed to include higher proficiency learners in regular classroom
instruction with appropriate instructional interventions to address their
language needs. ESOL
teachers will not directly instruct ELLs in
consultative services, but will serve in a consultative role for the regular
education teacher in the development and implementation of the AKS
Modification and Intervention Plan.
GCPS – ESOL Handbook
The ESOL program at Margaret
Winn Holt Elementary currently serves a total of 323 students. There are 229
Direct students and 94Consultative students. Thirty-six different languages
are considered Primary Home Languages Other Than English (PHLOTE). Our ESOL
program is served by 5 highly qualified ESOL teachers: They are: Christina
Evagoras-Grades 1, 2, 3, 5; Alla Greene-Grades 1, 3, 4; Frances Hansen-Grades
K, 1; Margaret Thomas-Grades K, 1, 2; Cathy Williams-Grades K, 1. It is our
goal to provide high quality language instruction that demonstrates
effectiveness by increasing English proficiency and supporting student
academic achievement in all academic subjects.
