English Learner Program
The Ames Community School District strives to prepare English Learners who are socially and academically confident, bicultural, and multilingual through welcoming and engaging students and their families in the educational process.
Goals
There are two main goal areas for our Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP): language and academic. The English language proficiency LIEP goal is that the average time for an EL to exit the program will be less than four years. Other goals are:
- Increase the percentage of ELs making growth on at least one subtest of the annual English language proficiency assessment.
- Decrease the number of Long-Term English Learners (defined as more than four full academic years in the Ames EL program).
Educational Approach
Educational Approach
Elementary English Language Learners may experience one of or a combination of the following models:
- Students spend most of the school day in a regular classroom, but are pulled out for a portion of each day to receive instruction in English as a second language.
- Students may remain in the regular classroom and receive English language support from the classroom teacher or the EL teacher.
Educational Approach
English Language Learners are assigned to EL classes for one or two periods, in addition to an EL study hall. EL classes are typically divided according to English proficiency, as well as grade level. Classes are focused on English language development and an introduction to American culture using a variety of strategies. Class time may also be used to support English Language Learners with their content area coursework.
Educational Approach
Sheltered classes are available for English Language Learners to receive required high school credit in US History, World Studies, Algebra and English. EL Reading is offered as an individualized class based on the English Language Learner’s level of English proficiency. EL Beginner and EL Intermediate levels help develop the foundational skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Educational Approach
Elementary English Language Learners may experience one of or a combination of the following models:
- Students spend most of the school day in a regular classroom, but are pulled out for a portion of each day to receive instruction in English as a second language.
- Students may remain in the regular classroom and receive English language support from the classroom teacher or the EL teacher.
Educational Approach
English Language Learners are assigned to EL classes for one or two periods, in addition to an EL study hall. EL classes are typically divided according to English proficiency, as well as grade level. Classes are focused on English language development and an introduction to American culture using a variety of strategies. Class time may also be used to support English Language Learners with their content area coursework.
Educational Approach
Sheltered classes are available for English Language Learners to receive required high school credit in US History, World Studies, Algebra and English. EL Reading is offered as an individualized class based on the English Language Learner’s level of English proficiency. EL Beginner and EL Intermediate levels help develop the foundational skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Lau Plan
The purpose of the Ames Community School District’s Lau Plan is to provide community members, parent/guardians, administrators, teachers, and students with information regarding EL programming. The contents of the plan are intended to inform the reader of program procedures and services. The Ames CSD Lau Plan link includes translations in Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Ukrainian, and Spanish.
Frequently Asked Questions About the EL Program
What is the English Learner (EL) program?
An EL program is a school district’s plan for educating English Language Learners (ELs) to improve their English language proficiency while meeting the academic standards in the content areas. The program is designed to meet the varying needs of students in Kindergarten through 12th grade whose first language is not English or if another language is spoken in the home as indicated on the home language survey or during registration.
How do I know my student qualifies for EL?
Based on your student’s score on the language assessment, the EL teacher will send a letter home to inform you if your student qualifies for EL services or not.
My student speaks English. Why are they being tested?
At registration, a Home Language Survey was filled out as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). If another language is spoken in the home, the level of English proficiency must be determined to see if your child qualifies for EL services.
How long will my student be in EL?
Most students are in the EL program for a period of two to four years. However, it can take up to seven years to fully learn a new language.
What classroom instruction is my student missing while he/she is receiving EL services?
At the Elementary, students are not pulled from direct instruction time with the classroom teacher. The EL teacher may also provide instruction in the child’s regular classroom.
At the Middle School, newcomer ELs are in EL class instead of Literacy class. Higher level ELs may be pulled out of study hall for their EL class.
At the High School, students may take EL classes and/or Sheltered Instruction courses.
How does a student exit the EL program?
A required statewide assessment is given annually to all EL students to measure their level of English proficiency. When students have met the proficiency criteria of 4’s and 5’s on the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA), a student will be exited.
What is the English Learner (EL) program?
An EL program is a school district’s plan for educating English Language Learners (ELs) to improve their English language proficiency while meeting the academic standards in the content areas. The program is designed to meet the varying needs of students in Kindergarten through 12th grade whose first language is not English or if another language is spoken in the home as indicated on the home language survey or during registration.
How do I know my student qualifies for EL?
Based on your student’s score on the language assessment, the EL teacher will send a letter home to inform you if your student qualifies for EL services or not.
My student speaks English. Why are they being tested?
At registration, a Home Language Survey was filled out as required by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). If another language is spoken in the home, the level of English proficiency must be determined to see if your child qualifies for EL services.
How long will my student be in EL?
Most students are in the EL program for a period of two to four years. However, it can take up to seven years to fully learn a new language.
What classroom instruction is my student missing while he/she is receiving EL services?
At the Elementary, students are not pulled from direct instruction time with the classroom teacher. The EL teacher may also provide instruction in the child’s regular classroom.
At the Middle School, newcomer ELs are in EL class instead of Literacy class. Higher level ELs may be pulled out of study hall for their EL class.
At the High School, students may take EL classes and/or Sheltered Instruction courses.
How does a student exit the EL program?
A required statewide assessment is given annually to all EL students to measure their level of English proficiency. When students have met the proficiency criteria of 4’s and 5’s on the English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA), a student will be exited.
Family Resources
Contact Us
