California Area School District

K- 12 English Language Learner (ESL) Program at the California Area School District provides English Learners (ELs) with the language skills they need to participate successfully in content area classes. ELL instruction is designed to address the Pennsylvania state academic standards in reading, writing, speaking and listening in order to comprehend in all subject matter. The emphasis placed on various benchmarks is adjusted to the needs of the individual.

An underlying objective of the ELL program is to provide support as the English Learner seeks to understand and adapt to his or her new cultural and academic setting. ELL teachers work to understand the English Learners strengths and needs and to ensure full access to educational opportunities available in the school. The ELL teacher also works with the student's content area teachers (and all instructional staff) as well as the families to assist with the academic and cultural transition and to promote the success of the English Learner.

ELL instruction is provided by highly qualified teachers who hold a valid Instructional I or Instructional II Certificate and is a Program Specialist in ESL from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Students are grouped by appropriate age and English proficiency levels.. The total number of hours of ESL instruction varies according to the ELs’ English language proficiency needs. Research based techniques and models for adapting instruction are utilized.

When registering their students at California Area, all parents/guardians will be required to fill out a Home Language Survey. Based upon the responses to this survey, those children who qualify will be referred for an “English Language Learner Assessment”. The results of this assessment will determine if a student requires English as a Second Language instruction. Parents/guardians may not opt their children out of English language learner assessment or ESL instruction in the regular education environment if found to be eligible.

The PSSAs in the English/Language Arts areas as well as in Mathematics are administered as required by federal law to students in grades 3-8. The PSSA for Science is administered in the 5th and 8th grade only. The Keystone Exams are administered at the secondary level as required by federal law. The PSSA and Keystone Exams provide allowable accommodations for ELs as necessary.

ELs also participate annually in the state required English language proficiency assessment, the online WIDA ACCESS. The ESL Teacher administers the assessment to the ELs, which is an online format for grades K-12. The state required annual assessment measures the students proficiency in the areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. The test is usually administered in January and February and the results are usually available in June.

Refusal of English as a Second Language programs and/or services indicates an informed, voluntary decision by the parent to not have their child placed in any separate, specialized English as a Second Language instructional program. A "waiver" must be completed indicating a desire by the parent to waive the child from participation in all or some of the ESL programs or services offered by the District. The student will still be required to participate in the annual state required WIDA ACCESS assessment to determine their English language proficiency each year until they meet the state exit criteria and are reclassified. If the student is struggling in the general education class, the parents are notified and the student can be recommended for ESL services. Parents can be presented with the English as a Second Language Program Reinstatement Request Form if they wish to opt their child back into the District’s ESL program and services.

When parents or guardians have questions or concerns regarding their child’s participation in the ESL Program, the following procedure will be used for addressing any issue:

• Contact the ESL Teacher.  
• If a resolution cannot be reached, a meeting with the parents/guardians, Principal,  ESL Teacher, Director of Student Services will be scheduled in order to address the areas of concern.
• If at this meeting a resolution is not reached, a meeting with the Superintendent will be scheduled.
• Complaints not resolved at any of the above levels, the parents may contact the Pennsylvania Department of Education – Bureau of Teaching and Learning, 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17125.