Washington State Language Policy

Outline Language Policies –What is the law? –How do policies uphold the law? District Programs –How are students served in various school districts?

Language Policies in Washington State Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Instructional Programs State Approved Funding English Language Development (ELD) Content Standards

WAC WAC requires that school districts: “Shall make available to each eligible student a transitional bilingual instruction program, or if the use of two languages is not practicable as provided in WAC , an alternative instructional program.”

Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program “The main goal of the State Bilingual Instruction Program is to develop English language proficiency while developing academics at grade level.”

Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program A student’s eligibility is determined by WAC – WELPA (formerly WLPT II)

Home Language Survey

WELPA Within 10 Days & Yearly

Approved Instructional Programs 1.Dual Language Program (Two-Way Immersion) 2. Developmental Bilingual Education (Late-Exit) 3. Transitional Bilingual Education (Early-Exit) 4. Sheltered Instruction (Content-Based ESL) 5. Newcomer Program

WAC WAC provides information in regards to District eligibility for Alternative Instructional Programs “(1) Necessary instructional materials in the student's primary language are unavailable and the district has made reasonable efforts to obtain necessary materials without success; (2) The capacity of the district's bilingual instructional program is temporarily exceeded by an unexpected increase in the enrollment of eligible students; (3) Bilingual instruction cannot be provided to students without substantially impairing their basic education because of their distribution throughout many grade levels or schools, or both; or (4) Teachers who are trained in bilingual education methods and sufficiently skilled in the non-English primary language(s) are unavailable, and the district has made reasonable attempts to obtain the services of such teachers.”

State Approved Funding “Each school district that seeks an allocation of state funds for a transitional bilingual instruction program or alternative instructional program shall submit a program approval application to the superintendent of public instruction no later than August 1 of each year.” Funding is given to districts who submit a TSIB application that is approved by OSPI

State Approved Funding: District Application The District Application shall contain: 1. The estimated number of eligible students to be served 2. A description of the instructional bilingual program to be implemented 3. A description of the research-based professional activities plan targeted towards second language acquisition 4. A description of the District’s plan for continuous improvement and evaluation of its program to serve English language learners

English Language Development Content Standards Purpose of the Washington State ELDs: “to define progressive levels of competence in the use of English To set clear benchmarks of progress that reflect differences for students entering school at various grade levels. To ensure that limited English proficient (LEP) students, develop English proficiency and meet the same academic content and academic achievement standards” Characteristics of Washington State ELDs: “All Language domains are addressed in the WA State ELD Standards. Aligned to the Communication (Listening/Speaking), Reading, and Writing EALRs. Five Proficiency Levels are included (beginning, advanced beginning, intermediate, advanced, transitional).”

A look at the ELDs

School Districts Report Cards District What are the stats for your district? What are the stats for your school? Ethnicity Transitional Bilingual Migrant FRL SPED Graduation Rates Achievement Data

Summary Elementary Schools: Pull-Out Methods are Used –Primarily for students with low English proficiency Most Districts attempt to teach ELL in content based situations Paraprofessionals and ELL teacher experts Middle/High Schools: ESL classrooms are used Districts are moving towards or already use sheltered instruction. Most employ centrally located teachers, paraprofessionals and volunteers help out as well.

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References: Bellingham School District. Ferndale School District. Fusch, Darcy Washington State Language Policy & ELL Programs in Local School Districts. Meridian School District. Mount Baker School District. Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction English Language Development (ELD) Content Standards. Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Washington State Report Card. Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction Washington State Transitional Bilingual Instruction: Program Guidelines. Shumway, Paige. ELL Teacher, Meridian High School. December 1, Personal Interview. Washington State Legislature Chapter WAC: Special Service Program – Transitional Bilingual.