The English Language (EL) Specialist’s primary responsibility is to support students’ academic growth while helping them grow their English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. EL specialists tailor lessons for students whose native language and English-speaking abilities are varied. Instruction is carefully developed to assist students in developing their language skills based on the common core standards, WIDA standards as well as each student’s individual language proficiency levels. EL specialists also work closely with the classroom teachers to in the differentiation of instruction for all learners.
In order to ensure our students are continually making progress, Specialists assess the four language domains (reading, writing, speaking, listening) regularly through frequent curricular (formative) assessments, end-of-unit (summative) assessments, and formally through the standardized ACCESS Test once each year.
Additionally, EL specialists advocate for EL families and students and maintain an open line of communication between home and school to enhance student learning and family engagement.