EL Update
Winter 2018
IRIPs and EL Students
- Background Information: EL Considerations / Implications
- Instruction: 5 Literacy Components (+3)
- Individual Reading Improvement Plan (IRIP)
- Translation / Communication with Parents
- At-Home Reading Plan
- Teacher Professional Learning
Translation Services
If you find a need for translation, please contact Elizabeth Buckhold to arrange these services.
Electronic Files
Retention/Failing Grades Policy
Grade level retention can occur but only AFTER additional verification of accommodations assurance and meaningful parent communication have occurred.
Retention / failing grades of English Learners may not be based upon their lack of English proficiency. Public schools are required to provide equitable access to standards‐based academic instruction through the modification and differentiation of the following: classroom instruction, testing, assessment, grading, and English language development courses.
STAR & Writing Assessments
Please ensure that all EL students are being STAR tested so we can provide this information. Without these scores, students cannot test out of the program.
Special Education & English Learners
WIDA Information
As you likely are aware, MDE criteria determines English Learner (EL) status and ESOL Program eligibility. More so, we are required by law to annually assess all eligible English Learner (EL) children with the WIDA ACCESS assessment. Not all of our EL students receive direct services from a GISD English Language Facilitator but we are still required to assess them – including all students whose parents waived ESOL Program services.
WIDA is an additional assessment completed only by EL students and does not replace M-STEP or MME/SAT. It is administered by our district, not the GISD. Our district also sends affected parents a testing notification letter to contact Elizabeth Buckhold, the Title II District Coordinator or principals should they have questions or concerns.
2018 WIDA Schedule
Secondary students will be testing in the portable and Barhitte students will be testing in the library.
Also, please remember that students must be excused and cannot be penalized in any way for missing class due to WIDA testing. This means teachers ensure that all instruction, assessment time and resources are provided equitably to the student through accommodations. Please guarantee that the student has full access to receive anything missed and extensions of any deadlines as applicable and is not marked absent