Language Assistance Program Update
March 16, 2018
WIDA ACCESS Pre-Reporting Data Validation Window is March 19-23
The ACCESS for ELLs 2.0 and Alternate ACCESS for ELLs Pre-Reporting Data Validation window is March 19-23. This opportunity allows your school to update student demographic information, accommodations, and Not Tested Codes. Pre-Reporting Data Validation occurs before reports are generated so that any changes made will be applied to your students' spring score reports.
Why is 'gh' is so many English words?
Engaging English Learner Families
Family engagement is a key element of successful English Learner programming. Families who speak a language other than English may be reluctant to attend school events if they are not sure an interpreter will be present. They may feel unable to help their child with homework in English, or afraid that sharing their opinions in educational decisions will undermine the authority of the school. Each family and each local context brings different assets and unique needs, which makes effective two-way communication in an appropriate language challenging, but essential.
Federal law now requires that schools and districts effectively communicate with all parents and guardians, regardless of the percentage of students that speak a language other than English. ESSA, also requires LEAs to conduct effective outreach to parents of ELs, including regular parent meetings. Effective communication with national origin-minority parents is also a requirement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the Office for Civil Rights May 25, 1970 memorandum, “school districts have the responsibility to adequately notify national origin minority group parents of school activities which are called to the attention of other parents. Such notice in order to be adequate may have to be provided in a language other than English.” Schools should be aware that the English proficiency level of a student is not always indicative of a parent’s language skills. For example, if a fluent English proficient student has parents with limited English proficiency, then the school must take steps to effectively communicate with the parents in accordance with state and federal law.