The program components ensure each student receives instructiongeared
towards helping the student achieve the PA academic standards in
reading, writing, speaking, and listening, and allowing the students the
opportunities they need to become proficient in the use of the English
language. The ESL program provided to ELLs will include direct language
instruction, adaptations to instruction, and assessment in all
content areas, both of which must be commensurate with the student's
level of English.
Students in the ESL program must be provided with meaningful,
comprehensible access to instruction in all content areas required by
Pennsylvania academic standards. The PA ELPS (English Language
Proficiency Standards) are an overlay to the academic standards and will
be incorporated in planned instruction for ELLs by all teachers.
Content area instruction will be aligned with the corresponding
standards and adapted to meet the needs of the students. Accommodations
and modifications provided to the student will be provided by the ESL
teacher, which will be collaboratively developed by the ESL teacher and
grade level/content teacher(s). Appropriate academic support services
will be provided to ELLs within the content courses and may include an
ESL teacher or supplemental materials.
Literacy in English is developed using Content-Based ESL as the
program model. English instruction is adapted to student’s proficiency
level and supplemented by gestures, visual aids, and
manipulatives. This
approach of teaching ESL makes use of instructional materials, learning
tasks, and classroom techniques from academic content areas as the
vehicle for developing language, content, cognitive, and study skills.
MMSA ESL CLASSES
At MMSA ELLs receive English Language instruction in core content
classes; Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies using the
Collaborative Teaching Model (ESL Push-in). Collaboration occurs in
grade level/content classes; both teachers provide individualized direct
instruction
ESL certified teachers also provide English Language
instruction during core content, intervention periods, and for Level 1
and 2 ELLs, via curriculum based on the PA ELPS (English Language
Proficiency Standards) using the SAS Pre-K-12 Language Arts and Math ELL
Overlay.
GRADES
ELLs must be graded using the same grading system as all other
students. Grading of ELLs must reflect what the students know and are
able to do at their level of English language proficiency. The
content
teacher(s), ESL teacher, school counselor, and principal will monitor
all ELLs' progress during the school year to determine if programming
changes are necessary.
P.R.I.D.E. EXPECTATIONS
Complete homework and classwork
Bring agenda to all classes
Ask for help when needed
Participate in class
Respect diversity
Do your best