English Language Learners

Evaluation

As part of the student enrollment process, parents complete the Home Language Survey section on the registration form. Information provided in the Home Language Survey determines if further English language screening is necessary. Students are then screened to determine if they qualify to receive EL services. The State of Tennessee uses the WIDA ACCESS assessment to monitor children in grades K-8 measuring progress towards English language proficiency. Tennessee is a member in the WIDA Consortium. 

Program

Once it is determined a student qualifies to receive EL services, they are served by both the General Education and EL Teachers in pull-out and push-in instructional settings. Between 45 minutes and one hour each day are spent with their EL teacher in a setting deemed most appropriate for the individual learner. The EL teachers use small group instruction to help children learn English through reading, writing, listening and speaking. It takes approximately four to seven years for a child to become fluent in English.