Worcester Public SchoolsWorcester Public Schools

Promising Practices for English Promising Practices for English Language LearnersLanguage Learners

November 5, 2009November 5, 2009

Theory of Action Theory of Action

• With high quality teaching and learning With high quality teaching and learning students will continuously achieve higher students will continuously achieve higher

performance levels. performance levels.

• Root Cause Analysis for districtRoot Cause Analysis for district::• ELLs: Increase language proficiency to meet state goals ELLs: Increase language proficiency to meet state goals • SPED: Increase MCAS scores to exceed state scores SPED: Increase MCAS scores to exceed state scores • Grade 3 reading: decrease gaps among subgroups in Grade 3 reading: decrease gaps among subgroups in

MCAS, MAP, and MEPAMCAS, MAP, and MEPA• 2121stst Century skills: Ensure students demonstrate skills Century skills: Ensure students demonstrate skills

necessary to achieve college readiness necessary to achieve college readiness

Continuum of Services to ELLs Continuum of Services to ELLs

Direct Instruction:Direct Instruction: ESL Labs (A-C Lau) and ESL Sections MS-HSESL Labs (A-C Lau) and ESL Sections MS-HS TBE programs (A-B Lau) 1-12 TBE programs (A-B Lau) 1-12 2-way programs (Spanish English) K-1 2-way programs (Spanish English) K-1

ESL Tutoring: (C Lau) 1-6ESL Tutoring: (C Lau) 1-6 Push-in or pull-out systemPush-in or pull-out system

Regular Classroom settings K-12 grade Regular Classroom settings K-12 grade By content licensed teachers By content licensed teachers Qualified teacher Qualified teacher this includes the 4 categories of this includes the 4 categories of

training training

1209

333

1228

731

18291760

1285

2467

0

580

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

A-I B-II C-III D-IV DF-V

Lau A-D 08-09

MEPA Performance of ELLs 2009-2010 (Aprox. 6100)MEPA Performance of ELLs 2009-2010 (Aprox. 6100)

Total number of Ells and Number of Teachers from Total number of Ells and Number of Teachers from 2007-20102007-2010

3896

4698

5560

6100

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

2007 2008 2009 2010

No. of ELLs 2007-2010

80

82

84

85

77

78

79

80

81

82

83

84

85

2007 2008 2009 2010

No. of Teachers 2007-2010

ESL LabsESL Labs

Dually licensed Dually licensed teachers teachers

Licensed ESL Tutors Licensed ESL Tutors

New ESL (English as New ESL (English as a second language) a second language) curriculum curriculum

New technologies New technologies Multi grade levels Multi grade levels

based on language based on language proficiency proficiency

Lau A-CLau A-C

2-Way Programs2-Way Programs(Norrback and Roosevelt)(Norrback and Roosevelt)

Half of students are Spanish speakers and half Half of students are Spanish speakers and half are English speakersare English speakers

All students are together at all times. All students are together at all times. Instruction is delivered 50% of the time in Instruction is delivered 50% of the time in

English 50% in Spanish. English 50% in Spanish. Curriculum is aligned with district’s benchmarks Curriculum is aligned with district’s benchmarks

and state’s curriculum frameworks.and state’s curriculum frameworks. Curriculum is covered progressively in both Curriculum is covered progressively in both

languages languages

TBE Transitional Bilingual EducationTBE Transitional Bilingual Education+/- 360 (6.67%) at Chandler Magnet +/- 360 (6.67%) at Chandler Magnet

Year 1Year 1   

75% Spanish 75% Spanish 25% English25% English

Year 2Year 2  

50% English50% English 50% Spanish50% Spanish

Year 3Year 3  

25% Spanish25% Spanish 75% English75% English

Year 4Year 4

Full IntegrationFull Integration

Department of Justice Agreement Department of Justice Agreement

Provide equal access to all ELLs Provide equal access to all ELLs Registration and identification Registration and identification Provide SPED/ELL services Provide SPED/ELL services Translation services Translation services Curriculum materials for every classroom Curriculum materials for every classroom Training of all teachers Training of all teachers Reporting obligations Reporting obligations Parental involvement Parental involvement

Questions or Comments Questions or Comments