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English Language Learners (ELL)
Contents
English Language Learners (ELLs) or Limited English Proficient (LEP) students are a diverse group of students who do not speak English as their primary or home language. These students have a limited ability to read, speak, write or understand English and need unique teaching and support in order to get the same educational opportunities as native language learners. They are eligible to receive a variety of services and participate in programs that will help them learn academic content and become skilled in their second language (English).
Elementary Programs
Bilingual Transitional Early Exit Model
Students are taught in both Spanish and English for 2-5 years. Then they leave the program and continue with English-only instruction.
Bilingual Transitional Late Exit Model
Students are taught in both Spanish and English for 6-7 years. Then they leave the program and continue with English-only instruction.
One-Way Dual Language Immersion
All students in this enrichment program have the same home language. They have the opportunity to become bi-literate, bilingual, and bicultural scholars. Instruction is provided in two languages and language learning is integrated with content instruction.
Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Program (VCHP)
This program is for Vietnamese students in prekindergarten through fifth grade who are learning English as their second language. VCHP reinforces academic English through listening, speaking, reading and writing skills, using Vietnamese literature, culture and history.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Students in ESL receive intensive instruction in English from teachers trained in recognizing and addressing English language development and deficiencies. These ESL certified teachers provide small group instruction and support outside of the regular classroom.
Secondary Programs
Middle School ESL
Students participating in the ESL program on a middle school campus are provided English language instruction in one of two ways. Students with a TELPAS score of advanced high are instructed by ESL certified English and reading teachers in general education courses. Students with a TELPAS score of beginner, intermediate or advanced are placed in a double-blocked ESL course. All courses use the grade-level TEKS and are cognitively demanding.
Double-blocked ESL course
A highly trained ESL certified teacher provides ESL/English instruction for one period and reading instruction for the other period. Instruction is focused on accelerated language acquisition in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing at the appropriate language level for the student. The curriculum is based upon the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and uses the state-adopted textbook.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) EXCEL
The AVID Excel program helps students learn language and literacy skills at a faster pace so that they do not continue on their path as long-term English language learners. Students are recommended for the program by teachers, administrators or other faculty members.
AVID Excel has four components:
Professional Learning
the AVID Excel elective class
Family Connections
Bi-literacy.
AVID Excel is offered at six middle school campuses. The AVID Excel elective class is designed to put middle school ELLs on the path to high school AVID and college preparatory coursework.
High School ESL
Students participating in the ESL program on a high school campus are either provided English language instruction in ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) courses or in general education courses. All courses use the grade-level TEKS and are cognitively demanding.
Targeted electives such as ELL Reading, ELL Language Lab and ELL Teen Leadership also support English language acquisition.
ESOL courses
Students are enrolled in ESOL I or ESOL II courses with a highly trained, ESL certified teacher if they:
have a TELPAS score of beginner or intermediate
have a TELPAS score of advanced but have not passed their STAAR English EOC
Additionally they are enrolled in courses designed to accelerate language acquisition.
General education courses
Students are placed in general education English and Reading if they:
have a TELPAS score of advanced and passed their STAAR English EOC
have a TELPAS score of advanced High
These courses qualify as English I and English II credits toward graduation. The curriculum for these courses is based upon the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and uses the state-adopted textbook. Instruction focuses on accelerated language acquisition in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing at the appropriate linguistic level for the student.
Newcomer English as a Second Language (ESL)
The Memorial Pathway Academy Newcomer ESL program is a content-based program for ELL students in grades 6-9 who have recently arrived to our district from another country and meet specific linguistic criteria. Students in this program accelerate learning English through smaller classroom sizes and a focus on English language acquisition, while learning math, science, social studies, English, and computer technology.