• English as a Second Language (ESL) Program

    The Texas Education Code, , requires school districts to identify students of limited language proficiency, based on criteria established by the state, and to serve those students by providing an English as a Second Language program and a bilingual program, where applicable.

    In 91ÖÆƬ³§, the English as a Second Language (ESL) program is designed to provide instruction for the content areas and for concept development using research-based practices to ensure the academic achievement of English Learners (ELs).   An English Learner (EL) is defined as a student who is in the process of acquiring English and has another language as their first or primary language. English as a Second Language (ESL) programs are provided at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels.

    The ESL program emphasizes the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all EL students to  participate equitably in school. As part of the program, instruction in ESL will match the student's English proficiency level and his/her academic level.  Teachers within the program are required to have ESL certification or endorsement through the Texas State Board for Educator Certification.  Instruction is provided through the use of state-adopted ESL instructional materials, additional supplementary materials, as well as other resources and adaptations as needed to address curriculum requirements, as denoted in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), and College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS).

    The ELPS address the students’ English acquisition in the domains of listening, speaking, reading comprehension and writing compositions.  Students are measured at four different proficiency levels of beginning, intermediate, advanced and advanced high levels of proficiency.  Each year, EL students are assessed in their level of English language mastery through the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System “TELPAS” state assessment. Students are rated according to their performance on a collection of writing samples, a reading comprehension, listening and speaking online test.