Welcome! This page contains some general information regarding our EL program and will help to provide you with some information. Our EL program is aligned with the provision of meaningful parent and family notifications to encourage school engagement. Our district, along with other Ohio schools follow a two-step process for the identification of students as English learners.

Step 1: Language Usage Survey

Schools must identify students who are English learners within 30 days of the student's enrollment. Ohio defines enrollment as the date on which the school has both received documentation of enrollment and the student has commenced participation in learning opportunities. As part of welcoming new students and their families, Ohio’s Language Usage Survey must be completed for each student, in collaboration with parents and families, to support the identification and instruction of potential English learners and the provision of understandable communications.

Step 2: Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener

The OELPS is the standardized assessment tool the Department uses to classify students as English learners. When students are identified as potential English learners, they take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS) to gauge their development of English as a second or new language in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing. (Excerpt from: THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION)

At Willard City Schools, parents / guardians will receive assessment reports shortly after the language screener has been administered. Based on those assessment results, they will be notified in writing on whether or not their child qualifies for EL services. 

Those who qualify as English Learners will receive EL services to support their English language acquisition in various subject areas. They will also take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA) in the Spring to determine if they continue to qualify for EL services.

IN-CLASS INSTRUCTION

All of our Willard English Learners (ELs) are placed together with their native-English speaking peers in general education classrooms, but an ESL teacher or EL aide may be present to assist/support the EL students in the classroom or during Flashtime (study hall). For example, the ESL Teacher or aide may provide guidance to small groups of EL students as they review for a test/quiz, work on a group project or complete homework assignments.

INDIVIDUAL EL SUPPORT

Some EL students require more direct individual support provided by an ESL teacher, bilingual aide or EL tutors. The tutoring sessions may focus on promoting basic English communication skills or English for academic purposes within the school setting.

ROSETTA STONE

Our beginning level English learners are enrolled in the online Rosetta Stone language learning program.  They are encouraged to access the program for at least 20 minutes a day to help support and strengthen their general English language acquisition in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing.