Multilingual/English Learners

EDUCATION RIGHTS FOR PARENTS OF ENGLISH LEARNERS  

From the US department of Education:

Family and Student Rights

As a family member with school-aged children, you have certain rights. This is very important. A parents’ national origin, citizenship, or immigration status does not change this right.

• Under federal law, all children, regardless of their citizenship or residency status, are entitled to equal access to a free public education.

• Schools and school districts can ask for immunization records and proof of age from a clinic or doctor, as well as proof of residency (for example, a utility bill that reflects your current address).  

• Schools cannot ask for documentation that would prohibit or unlawfully discourage a student from enrolling in or attending school.

• Schools are not allowed to share information that may reveal a student’s personal information, unless permitted by law or if you give them written permission.

• Schools must ensure meaningful communication with limited English proficient parents in a language they can understand. They must notify limited English proficient parents of information about any program, service, or activity of a school district that is called to the attention of parents who are proficient in English.

• Schools must identify EL/Multilingual Learner students who need services to learn English. To get started, we will ask you to fill out a Home Language Survey. This will help determine if your child needs to be tested to find out if your child is eligible for English language services.

• If the English proficiency assessment determines that your child is eligible for specialized language services, Bozeman school district must provide these services. You must give permission for your child to receive these services. You also have a choice to not have your child receive such services. 

• Parents or guardians may choose for their child to receive services to learn English if their child is identified as needing these services. School districts and schools are required by federal law to provide these services.

• The right for your children to have equal access to all programming and services offered by the school district, appropriate to age and grade level including those required for graduation, and to all school programs available to other students.

• The right for your children to receive all core content instruction, and to learn English and other subjects such as Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies at the same academic level as all other children. Being entitled to EL services does not limit the ability to get core content instruction.

• The right for your children to have full access to extracurricular activities (afterschool clubs, sports, etc.). Being entitled to EL services does not limit the ability to take part in extracurricular activities.

• The right for your children to get support services (e.g., Academic Intervention Services) aligned with any intervention plans, as deemed necessary by the school.

• Schools should provide a safe and helpful environment, free from bullying. 

• In addition to a report card for your child, each year, all families must receive another type of report card: a school report card. The school report card provides important information about your child’s school. This is a good way to learn how well the school is performing, and enables you to compare your child’s school with other schools in the district. School report cards must be posted on the district’s website and must include: student demographic data, school safety and climate information, academic performance in mathematics, reading, language arts, and science, number of English learners achieving English language proficiency, school graduation rates, teacher and staff information, postsecondary preparation information and financial data.

 

ENGLISH LEARNERS SERVICE ELIGIBILITY 

Bozeman School District uses the OPI guidelines for identifying English Learners / Multilingual Learners for participation in the English Learner program. All new K-12 families enrolling in a BSD7 school will complete a Home Language Survey to identify students who speak another language other than English. 

Students who have been identified with another language will be given a Language Assessment Screener to evaluate their knowledge of the English language. Students qualify based on their demonstrated language proficiency on the assessment. 

After testing is completed the parent or guardian is notified of the results through a parent notification letter within 30 days of the student's enrollment or the start of the school year.  The English Learner specialist of the district will determine the appropriate EL service model based on their needs.  

WIDA Screener

Who takes this test?

New students who speak languages other than English at home take the WIDA Screener. The WIDA Screener tests students’ English language skills and determines if they are an English learner and entitled to supports and services to learn English.

When is this test given?

Students take the WIDA Screener within their first thirty days of school.  

What is on the test?

The WIDA Screener Assesses each of the four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing

How is the test scored?

The WIDA Screener platform automatically scores the Listening and Reading domains during administration. A trained local rater scores the Speaking and Writing domains.

How are the results reported?

The school in which your child is enrolled will mail a parent notification letter that will indicate the score and any additional actions that you need to take.

How are the results used?

Educators use the results of the test to determine if your child is an English Learner. 

To learn more about the WIDA screener please visit the WIDA Screener page. 

WIDA ACCESS for ELLs

Who takes this test?

The WIDA ACCESS for ELLs is given to all students who are identified as English Learners. The purpose of the test is to determine how well they are learning English. All English Learners in kindergarten through grade 12 take the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs every year.

When is this test given?

School year 2020-21 administration dates are from December 2 to February 26th. 

What is on the test?

Assesses the four language domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing

How are the tests scored?

The WIDA online test engine automatically scores Listening and Reading during test administration.

WIDA's test delivery partner scores the Speaking and Writing domains in the spring.

How are the results reported?

The results are reported in scale scores, and proficiency levels. Proficiency levels are divided into 6 levels to show how students are progressing in their English language development. 

Reaching Level 6: 

Students function fluently in listening, reading, writing, and speaking

Students' skills are equal to those of native English speakers at their appropriate grade level

These students have gained the skills necessary to participate in an English-speaking classroom

Bridging Level 5:

Students function almost fluently in listening, reading, writing, and speaking

Students' skills are almost equal to those of native English speakers at their appropriate grade level

These students have gained the skills necessary to participate in an English-speaking classroom

Expanding level 4:

Students are able to use skills at a higher level than developing students.

Although their knowledge and use of English is at a more advanced level, these students make mistakes usually involving more subtle use of language and difficult levels of vocabulary and grammar

Developing level 3:

Students have better English skills than students at the basic level

However, these students' skills are often not well developed and they make significant errors in the four skill areas

Beginning level 2:

A student at the Emerging level needs some supports and structures to improve their academic language skills

Entering level 1:

Students are at the beginning level in the four skill areas

These students’ English skills are minimal

How are the results used?

Students will continue to receive English Language Development services until their scores on the WIDA ACCESS show that they have learned English well enough to participate fully in their English-only classes. Educators also use students’ WIDA ACCESS scores to help decide which instructional standards to focus on, and to evaluate programs.

Currently a score of 4.7 is considered proficient in the state of Montana. Based on research, the OPI has determined that students growing at least 0.5 points on the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs each year should attain English Language Proficiency within 5 years. The OPI's definition of progress is any student who shows a 0.5 point growth on their composite score from the previous year.  

 To learn more about the WIDA ACCESS for ELLs please visit the WIDA ACCESS page.