Helen Moss appeals for funding to support ELL literacy at Porter Middle School

At the recent MCPS Board of Trustees meeting, the urgent issue of federal funding cuts for the English Language Learner (ELL) program took center stage, as ELL teacher Helen Moss from Porter Middle School highlighted the potential crisis facing students. Moss emphasized the critical need for continued financial support to ensure that nonliterate and semi-literate ELL students receive the specialized education they require to succeed.

Moss explained that many ELL students arrive with little to no literacy skills, often struggling with basic tasks such as holding a pencil or using a computer. She pointed out that these challenges are compounded by cultural and behavioral differences that can overwhelm both students and teachers. Without adequate funding, the specialized 45-minute ESL classes that are essential for these students' academic growth may be at risk, leaving them to fall further behind their peers.

"One ESL teacher cannot meet the needs of dozens of students," Moss stated, stressing that mainstream teachers are not equipped to handle the high demands of ELL students in large classrooms. She warned that without comprehensive support, many students may never achieve fluency in academic language, which typically takes 5 to 7 years to develop.

Moss praised the district's early literacy programs but cautioned that if the specific needs of ELL students are not addressed, the gap in their knowledge will only widen. "Let's not find out what happens when those skills aren't developed for a significant population," she urged the board, calling for consistent funding to support the success of ELL students in Missoula.

The meeting underscored the pressing need for action to protect vital educational resources for vulnerable student populations, as the board considers the implications of potential funding cuts.