ESOL program grows to serve students speaking roughly two dozen languages; access assessment used for progress measurement

Miss Ziegler presented an English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) update to the board describing screening, instruction and assessment for English learners.

Ziegler said the district uses a three‑step identification process beginning with a home language survey and, when indicated, WIDA screening instruments. The district integrates WIDA English language proficiency standards with the Georgia Standards of Excellence and provides ESOL instruction aligned to classroom expectations.

She gave a school‑by‑school breakdown of the enrolled EL population: Joseph Martin cluster schools (Joseph Martin, Button Gwinnett, Frank Long and Liberty Elementary) 72 students; Taylors Creek cluster (Taylors Creek, Waldo, Packard, Lyman Hall) 50 students; Lewis Frasier middle schools 62 students; Bradwell Institute 48 students; Liberty County High School 31 students. Ziegler said the district serves approximately 24 languages and that the EL population is highly transient and continuing to grow.

Ziegler explained that EL students take the ACCESS assessment to measure English language growth; ACCESS scores count toward the CCRPI's progress area, and EL students also participate in Georgia Milestones. She confirmed board member Dr. Scott's question that students in their first year in ESOL take the ACCESS assessment but their first year scores do not count in certain accountability calculations. Ziegler said teachers and ESOL staff provide accommodations and targeted instruction and that students exit ESOL once they demonstrate proficiency.