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Columbus Public Schools

ENGAGING ALL LEARNERS TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS

English Learners Program

English Learners Program

 

Welcome to the CPS English Learners Program

Elementary

Recently Arrived Students in Grades K-4

  • Recently Arrived Program at all elementary buildings:

    • Focus on the most urgent English Language Development and writing with an English Language instructor for 18 weeks.

  • Taught English Language Development by an EL teacher for 25-50 minutes per day, depending on grade and language level

  • Receive para support in the grade level classroom

  • Receives instruction Language Studio, the EL compliment to the Amplify CKLA ELA core for 30 minutes each day.

Columbus Middle School

Recently Arrived Students in Grades 5-8

  • Recently Arrived Program:

    • Receive instruction in an English Language Development and math course provided by an EL teacher

Columbus High School

Recently Arrived Students in Grades 9-12

  • Recently Arrived Program:

    • Receive in an English Language Development course provided by an EL teacher

    • May receive sheltered English instruction in Math, Language Arts and History provided by an EL teacher

    • May attend classes co-taught by content teachers and EL Specialists

       

Progressing Students

  • May receive sheltered (language-based) instruction in Math, Language Arts and History provided by an EL teacher

  • Attend general education classes

  • May attend classes co-taught by content teachers and EL Specialists

Determining Level of Overall Proficiency

Levels of Proficiency Scores in Each Domain Performance Expectations

Emerging

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1 or 2 in all domains

Example:

  • Listening: 2

  • Reading: 1

  • Speaking: 1

  • Writing: 1

  • Just beginning to develop grade level English language skills.

  • Have minimal comprehension skills.

  • May understand some words/sentences.

  • Production (writing/speaking) is limited.

 

Progressing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Higher than all levels 1 or 2, but lower than all levels 4 or 5.

Example:

  • Listening: 3

  • Reading: 2

  • Speaking: 3

  • Writing: 2

  • Developing grade level English skills.

  • Have fair to good comprehension skills without support.

  • Understand/Produce more English, but may make errors.

  • Working toward producing complex English structures.

Nearly Proficient (not an official ELPA score)

 

 

 

 

Level 4 or 5 in almost all domains.

Example:

  • Listening: 4

  • Reading: 4

  • Speaking: 5

  • Writing: 3

  • Nearing grade level English skills.

  • Have strong comprehension skills without support.

  • Understand/produce more English, but may make a few errors.

  • Mostly producing complex, academic English.

Proficient (no longer considered EL)

 

 

 

 

Level 4 or 5 in all domains

Example:

  • Listening: 4

  • Reading: 5

  • Speaking: 4

  • Writing: 5

Students have obtained the language necessary to produce, interpret, and collaborate at grade level academic tasks.

 

 

 

 

Testing

ELPA 21 Screener

How do students qualify for our EL program?

All families enrolling at CPS complete a Home Language Survey that asks questions about the languages used by the family. If the family lists a language other than English on the Home Language Survey, the ELPA Screener is given to the student to determine his or her knowledge of the English language. The student’s scores on the ELPA screener determine a student's placement in our EL program. Students receiving a score of emerging or progressing are entered into the EL program. Students who score proficient on the screener do not enter the EL program. The ELPA Screener scores and any additional placement tests help if any EL classes are appropriate for the student.

ELPA 21 Summative

How do students exit the EL Program?

Annually, EL students are required to take the State of Nebraska's English Language Proficiency exam (ELPA 21). ELPA 21 is an online assessment that assesses an EL student's ability to listen, speak, read, and write the English Language. Students who receive scores that reflect skills of "proficient" English learners exit the EL program.