Southside ISD bilingual/ESL report: program serves about 30% of students, mixed assessment results prompt targeted supports

Southside ISD’s bilingual and English‑as‑a‑second‑language (ESL) annual evaluation was presented Oct. 15, showing the program served roughly 1,800 students (about 29.5% of district enrollment) during 2024–25 and highlighting instructional and reclassification outcomes.

Melissa Martinez, bilingual director, said the district supports content‑based and pull‑out ESL models and both one‑way and two‑way dual‑language programs. She reported 84 reclassifications to English proficiency in 2024–25 and 98 monitored students through year‑4 status. Martinez summarized academic assessment results (STAAR/TELPAS component scores) by grade and subject. She said several grades showed increases in Approaches/Meets/Masters levels (for example, third‑ and fourth‑grade reading showed gains), while some secondary grades and particular subject areas declined or were affected by higher statewide cut scores; she noted that the state raised cut scores for certain grades in 2025.

Martinez detailed supports the department is implementing: targeted professional development in content‑based language instruction, differentiated campus training, campus accountability walkthroughs and collaboration with content coordinators. She noted six bilingual‑education waivers and twelve ESL waivers were filed for teachers serving in bilingual/ESL assignments, and that no teachers attained bilingual certification that year. The presentation highlighted campus programs such as a district Spanish spelling bee, a dual‑language recognition event and a TELPAS boot camp for high‑priority campuses.

Ending: Trustees thanked staff for the data and asked for continued campus‑level follow up; the district will continue monitoring progress and delivering targeted PD to support Meets and Masters performance.