• IGBI: English Learners

    Policy

    The Board recognizes the need to provide equal educational opportunities for all students in the District. Therefore, the Board provides English learners with a challenging curriculum and instruction that develops proficiency in English as rapidly and effectively as possible while facilitating student achievement in the District's curricular and extra-curricular programs.

    English learners are identified, assessed, and provided appropriate services according to Title VI, the United States Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Education, and the United States Department of Justice.

    The Board directs the District to develop and implement instructional programs that:

    • Appropriately identify language minority students
    • Provide the appropriate instruction to English learner students to assist them in gaining English language proficiency as well as content knowledge with appropriately certified teachers in both content areas and the Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and/or Bilingual Multicultural
    • Provide the appropriate instruction to English learner students to assist them in gaining English language proficiency, as well as content knowledge by employing English learning research-based program models that are educationally sound in theory and effective in practice;
    • Ensure that English learner students have access to their grade-level curricula so that they can meet promotion and graduation requirements as well as be provided an equal opportunity to participate in all programs, including pre-kindergarten, gifted and talented, career and technical education, arts, and athletics programs; Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses; clubs; honor societies, and school choice initiatives to avoid unnecessary segregation of English learner students
    • Ensure that English learner students that may also qualify for special education services are dually serviced by staff members qualified in both areas
    • Annually assess students' English proficiency and monitor their progress to determine their readiness for the mainstream classroom environment
    • Ensure that schools and District provide English learner parents and guardians with meaningful communication in a language they can understand, such as through translated materials or a language interpreter, and to adequate notice of information about any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of non-English learner parents and guardians across the District.

    The District tests all English learners in content knowledge and English language proficiency. The District may require alternative assessments. In addition, students must make yearly gains toward closing the achievement gap as defined by the State Board of Education performance targets.

    The District provides parents and guardians with notice of and information regarding the instructional program as required by law. In addition, schools regularly update parents and guardians on their child's progress.

    History

    • Adopted: March 29, 2022

    Legal References