ESOL/HILTPrograms and Services

WORKSHOP FOR PARENTS

September 2010

Arlington Public Schools

Department of Instruction

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Six Important Things to Know

1. What is the ESOL/HILT Program?

2. Why is my child in this program?

3. How does my child make progress in the program?

4. Which tests does my child take?

5. How are ESOL/HILT services delivered in my child’s school?

6. How can I help my child ?

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• High Intensity Language Training (HILT) for students with beginning to intermediate English proficiency

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) for students with advanced English proficiency

• “Bridging” for students who receive indirect services

1. What is the ESOL/HILT Program?

Program Components

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Purposes of the ESOL/HILT Program

• To ensure that English language learners attain English proficiency in order to develop high levels of academic achievement

• To assist English language learners in meeting the same challenging academic content standards that all students are expected to meet

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ESOL/HILT Program Overview• Criteria for entry, progress, and exit based on student’s level of

English proficiency• Instruction and assessment in English of oral language, reading,

and writing• Research-based instruction that integrates language and content

using a variety of methods and practices• Curricula that incorporates Arlington Public Schools and state

Standards of Learning (SOL)• Available to all identified ESOL/HILT students with parental

permission• First Language Support (FLS) in grades K-3 at selected schools,

providing content instruction in Spanish for a maximum of two hours each day

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• Tests results for listening, speaking, reading and writing are used to determine program placement.

• The ESOL/HILT program provides the services your child needs.

2. Why is my child in ESOL/HILT?

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• You have the option to decline enrollment of your child in the program.

• If you choose to decline enrollment of your child in the program, you must speak with the principal.

• Opt out students must take the state required English proficiency tests in the spring.

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

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3. How does my child make progress in the program?

WIDA English Language Proficiency Levels

Level 5 – Bridging

Level 4 – Expanding

Level 3 – Developing

Level 2 – Beginning

Level 1 – Entering

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Your Child’s Level of English Language Proficiency (ELP)

• Students are given local and state tests in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing to determine their level of English language proficiency.

• Teachers will share your child’s level with you at the beginning of the school year.

• Your child’s level is recorded on the ESOL/HILT report card.

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4. Which tests does my child take ?

No Child Left Behind, a law that requires testing, parent notification, and parent options, mandates the following:

Standards of Learning (SOL) tests

What all students are expected to learn at each grade level

Tests in Reading, Writing, English, Math, History and Science

ACCESS for ELLs Tests of English Language Proficiency (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing)

Local Assessments Assessments of English Language Proficiency used in the local school district

VGLA Virginia Grade LevelAlternative

An alternative assessment for the SOL Reading Test

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Who takes the ACCESS for ELLs test?

• All ESOL/HILT and Bridging students, levels 1-5, in Grades K-12.

• All students who have opted out of the ESOL/HILT program in Grades K-12

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What is the VGLA? Who takes the VGLA?

• A collection of work documenting individual achievement of grade level reading standards

• An alternative assessment for the SOL Reading Test

• Available for beginning students in grades 3-5 who achieved 3.5 or less on the ACCESS test

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• Aural/Oral Oral Stages of Second Language Development Rubric

• ReadingPALS Grades K-2

DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) DRP (Degrees of Reading Power) Reading Stages of Second Language Development Rubric

• WritingWriting samples Writing Stages of Second Language Development Rubric

What are the local assessments in listening, speaking, reading and writing?

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GRADE 3 GRADE 4 GRADE 5Reading Reading Reading

Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics

Science History Science

History Writing

Standards of Learning (SOL) Tests

•ESOL/HILT Students one-time exemption for the 3rd Grade Science, History, and Writing SOL tests

•All ESOL/HILT students must take the reading SOL test or VGLA unless enrolled in a U.S. school for less than 12 months.

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How will I know the results of my child’s tests ?

• You will always receive the results of state tests that your child has taken. Results are sent by mail or with the student.

• The school will have meetings to explain the tests.

• You may talk with your child’s teacher.

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What happens if my child does not pass the SOL tests?

• Test results will be one of the criteria to determine the instructional program for your child.

• There are opportunities to help your child: remediation classes, summer school, and/or change of instructional program.

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5. How are ESOL/HILT services delivered in my child’s school?

Schools meet the needs of English language learners

through the use of different instructional programs.

• English as a Second Language - supervised by the ESOL/HILT Office

• First Language Support – supervised by the ESOL/HILT Office

• Two-Way Immersion Program ( Spanish–English) – supervised by the Foreign Language Office.

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English as a Second Language (ESL)This program provides:

• Instruction delivered in English

• Language instruction integrated with academic content to meet the SOL objectives

• Instructional placement in ESOL or HILT according to the student’s level of English proficiency

• Ongoing English proficiency assessment in oral language, reading, and writing

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First Language SupportThis program provides:

• Instruction in English for the majority of the day for native Spanish-speaking students who are English language learners

• Integrated language and content instruction in Spanish (social studies and science) to accelerate language and concept development

• Integrated instructional units incorporating essential concepts and APS grade level curriculum objectives

• Comprehensive assessment including oral, reading, writing and content in both languages

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Two-Way Immersion (Spanish-English)

This program provides:

• Enrollment of both native English and native Spanish-speaking students

• Second language instruction through APS subject content and everyday conversation

• Promotion of an appreciation and understanding for another culture and of communication in a second language

• Half of the instructional day spent studying and learning in the second language

• Ongoing assessment in both languages

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ESOL/HILT Delivery Models

ESOL/HILT services are delivered through a variety of models which include, classroom, inclusion, pull out, and regrouping

Your child’s teacher, the ESOL/HILT Lead Teacher, or the principal can talk to you about the instructional delivery model(s) used in your school.

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6. How can I help my child succeed?• Make sure you know the dates for testing, how to help

your child get ready for the tests, and how to read the test results.

• Attend parent meetings.

• Review notices and letters.

• Review quarterly report cards sent home every grading period

• Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences (October and March).

• Find out about after-school tutoring, homework clubs, and other opportunities.

• Enroll your child in summer school.

• Encourage your child to study and read.

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Working with You

PrincipalOther

parents

NurseTeacher

Bilingual Family

Resource Assistant

Counselor

We’re in this together!!

Do you have any questions?

Thank you for attending the workshop.