Policy Code: C4

First Reading: November 15, 2016
Second Reading: December 6, 2016
Adopted: December 6, 2016

Related: English Language Learner Program page

Related: ELL Program Lau Plan

Related: EWSD Translation Services

Policy

The Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union School District (EWECUUSD) is committed to supporting the academic and social needs of all English Language Learners (ELL) attending our schools. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974 (EEOA), public schools must ensure that ELL students can participate meaningfully and equally in educational programs.

Defining an ELL Student

In Vermont an ELL student is a student with a home language other than English and who has limited English language proficiencyt based on results from an English language proficiency assessment approved by the state of Vermont.

Historically a variety of terms have been used to describe the ELL students, including English as a Second Language (ESL), Limited English Proficiency (LEP), English Learner (EL) and English Language Program (ELP).

For purposes of this policy and for the EWECUUSD ELL Program, the term English Language Learner (ELL) is inclusive of students who fall into all of these categories.

Further definitions, eligibility, and exit requirements are outlined below and adhere to Vermont state guidance for exiting ELL services as outlined in the Vermont Agency of Education memo dated December 7, 2010 entitled “Amendment to Vermont’s Definition of English Language Learner (ELL), Exit Criteria from Title III and Title I Language Support Programs,; and Title III Annual Measurement Achievement Objectives (AMAOs).”

ELL Program and Staffing

The superintendent shall be responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal and state regulations related to serving ELL students. The superintendent shall designate a qualified staff member to serve as district ELL Coordinator and annually notify the VT Agency of Education with the name of the person serving in this role.

The district ELL Coordinator shall be responsible for:

• designing and maintaining the ELL program;
• ensuring the ELL program is adequately staffed with licensed personnel;
• providing translation services for families;
• maintaining the EWECUUSD Lau Plan (defined below);
• overseeing screening, identification, and development of ELL Service Plans;
• administering the Title III grant Language Instruction for Limited English Proficient and Immigrant Students and any other grants related to migrant, refugee or ELL students; and
• administering any state required ELL assessments.

Students identified as eligible for ELL Services, including students who have moved out of services and into monitoring, shall have services/monitoring provided by a licensed ELL teacher. Additional tutoring may be provided if available, but the tutoring must be overseen by a licensed ELL teacher and shall not supplant required ELL services.

Lau Plan

Per federal requirements, EWECUUSD will maintain a Lau Plan. A Lau Plan, named from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1974 decision in Lau v. Nichols that identical education does not constitute equal education under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, is a formal plan designed to ensure that all students have equal access. The Lau Plan includes processes for:

• identifying students who qualify for ELL services,
• developing of individualized ELL Service Plans for each qualifying student,
• ensuring that ELL students are served by licensed ELL teachers,
• ensuring that the language instruction is aligned with VT state standards, and
• ensuring that ELL students are administered all state required assessments.

The EWECUUSD Lau Plan will be posted publically on the website and will be updated periodically to ensure compliance with state and federal statutes and regulations.

Translation Services 

All parents and guardians, including non-native speakers, are entitled to meaningful communication in a language they can understand. EWECUUSD provides translation services for families in order to support access to their child’s educational program, including parent conferences, special education meetings, truancy hearings, open house events, field trip permission forms, report cards/progress reports and other critical school events and documents. Translation services provided by EWECUUSD are limited to school-related events and materials that facilitate access to education-related programming involving their children.