Roadmap for Success with English Learners

INITIAL ASSESSMENT

Succeeding with English Learners begins with an initial assessment of their English language skill and their primary language of use.  With an accurate initial assessment of the student, placement into the educational process can become an efficient introduction to a new educational approach.


ACADEMIC REVIEW

With the establishment of a starting point in the education process of an English Learner through the Initial Assessment, the focus turns towards the academic review of the student. What does the EL know, and can the EL demonstrate this knowledge?  What has the EL learned and studied in a primary language?  How can the EL's academic achievement become match to a different measuring set of academic standards?


CONTINUED SUPPORT

Each English Learner will require a certain amount of continued support until they reach the level of proficiency required to exit the English Learner program.  How much continued support will a student need?  Each according to their skills and abilities.  All ELs should be supported continuously for as long as their stay in the EL program is, and beyond.  It may be as brief as a week, or as long a grade, or few years, but all ELs deserve and should receive continued support as they develop and transition into an English language educational environment.


PROGRESS & GROWTH

English Learners should not, cannot, stay stagnant in language development.  ELs must show and demonstrate both progress and growth.  Els should be able to do this in both language and knowledge.  An EL's progress and growth can be measured through Continued Academic Assessment, Common Academic Standards, Formative Assessment, etc.

MAINSTREAM EXIT

Just as they were assessed to enter an EL program, they must be assessed to exit and become mainstream.  It is a graduation from being an English Learner to a Mainsteam Student.  They have grown along side their classmates and now share progress in language and knowledge.  The English Learner has successfully transitioned into a new educational process through language acquisition.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

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