No. 147     Institute for Learning

K-5 teachers assigned to teach English learner (EL) students must conduct this annual assessment in a consistent manner, so that accurate information can be compiled for each student. This information will serve as historical data documenting students’ progress in acquiring English and will also be entered on yellow "English Learner" power cards, to facilitate proper placement of students for the 2001-2002 school year in either Structured English Immersion, Mainstream English Cluster, or Biliteracy for Spanish Speakers programs, as required by State law.

Toward this end, district training for the Elementary EL annual assessment will include:

• Annual assessment requirements for EL students (for each grade level)

• Integration of multiple measures to determine overall proficiency level

• Criteria for determining a Good Working Knowledge of English (GWKE)

• Program and placement correlation

• Staffing requirements for EL programs

The district training is necessary for all newly assigned teachers of K-5 EL students, as well as for K-5 teachers of ELs who did not receive training in spring 2000. It is optional only for teachers who received such training in spring 2000. Even if teachers attended training last spring, principals may choose to send at least one lead second language teacher/administrator to the training, and have that person(s) report updated information to the previously trained teachers. In addition, the training is strongly recommended for site administrators and others who will be assisting with placing EL students for the fall. Participants will be compensated at the workshop participation rate if they attend training scheduled beyond their regular working hours. Please determine which teachers should attend training and provide training registration information to them. Attachment I of this circular provides that information.

While the training is optional for teachers who were already trained last spring, all K-5 teachers of ELs must receive updated key information. This key information includes:

(1) listening/speaking/reading/writing measures required for their grade level, (2) criteria for a good working knowledge of English (GWKE), (3) data entry procedures, and (4) program placement requirements. Attachment II of this circular provides that information as a flyer that can be duplicated for your teachers, as well as logistical information regarding how certain assessment tools will be delivered to the sites.

Teachers should choose the most convenient training date and register immediately. Applicable assessments for each EL student must be completed, and applicable data entered on scan sheets and power cards, by the third reporting period, or by the time the site intends to plan student placement and program organization (using power cards) for next fall, whichever is earlier.

Please direct questions regarding this information to Debra Dougherty at (619) 725-7280.