English as a Second Language (ESL)

The ESL Identification Process

1. Home Language Survey
• Parents complete the survey when they register their child
• This indicates if the student:
• has a first language other than English
• speaks a language other than English
• lives in an environment where a language other than English is spoken
2. Family Interview
• District staff interviews the family for additional information
3. Screening
• ESL teachers may:
• Look through permanent files for academic history
• Administer a language proficiency test (WIDA Screener)
• Contact the parents if their student qualifies

Placement and Testing

The WIDA Screener is an on-demand assessment administered shortly after a student enrolls.  It is used to measure the English-language proficiency of incoming students (grades K-12) whose primary or home language is not English.

To determine placement maintenance in the program and English proficiency, the WIDA ACCESS state tests are administered to all students actively participating in the ESL program. These tests are administered annually from the end of January until the first week in March.

The WIDA Access test evaluates the English language proficiency of K-12 students who are English Learners (ELs).  It annually measures students’ academic and social language skills across four domains: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.

Exiting Procedures

Several components of the criteria need to be met for any student exiting the ESL program as follows:

• Scoring proficient in all areas of listening, reading, speaking, and writing on the WIDA ACCESS tests at a Tier Level C test
• Maintaining adequate grades in both the ESL and general education classroom in core content areas
• Obtaining a basic or above score on PSSA evaluations, if in a grade level taking PSSA exams
• ESL teacher and regular classroom teacher observations and portfolios

Questions regarding the ESL program may be referred to the ESL teacher, the student's assigned school building, or the Coordinator of Instructional Programs (see contact information below).

Resources

*District policy 138 – Language Instruction Educational Program for English Learners

*Commonwealth of Pennsylvania – English Language Learners

Useful Links for Educators

PA English Language Development Standards

WIDA “Can Do” Descriptors

WIDA PA Site

ESL Classroom Connections