Mission Statement
To embrace learners of English from all cultures while providing instruction for academic & linguistic competence in English & Native languages
About the English Language Learners (ELL) Program
The Beaver Dam Unified School District ELL Program is designed to support Limited English Proficient (LEP) students in their language acquisition and academic achievement. The program follows the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) guidelines. WIDA provides English Language Proficiency Standards grouped by grade levels and language domains.
Students in the Beaver Dam Unified School District are identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) when a language other than English has influenced their language development. Students are placed into age-appropriate classes at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. The content area teachers are to provide modified instruction based on students' prior academic experiences, English language proficiency, and grade level or content area objectives. Translation services for the child and family are available to assist with form completion, parent/student/teacher conferences, and communication between home and school.
At the elementary level, ELLs receive instruction and academic support in various settings, such as in the classroom or in a pullout session. ELL teachers provide targeted speaking, listening, reading, and writing instruction. ELL teachers/tutors collaborate with classroom teachers to plan and design instructional activities. Our goals are to help students improve their social and academic language skills to achieve grade level standards. At the middle and high schools ELL teachers provide English ELL classes. ELLs may also receive one or more resource periods, which are bilingual support study halls for grades 6-12. In resource periods students receive bilingual support in all subject areas. They are able to work on homework, quizzes, and tests. The ELL Coordinator, ELL teacher/tutor, and guidance counselors design an appropriate Plan of Services or IRP (Individual Record Plan) for students based on their individual English language proficiency level. All ELL students are scheduled for accredited classes needed for graduation.
|