Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the English Learners topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board reviews English learner district plan; introduces new ATLAS program for grades 6–10
Summary
Jackson Public Schools presented its revised English Learner (EL) district plan and introduced the ATLAS program — a targeted bridge curriculum for emergent English learners in grades 6–10 — with site details and planned supports.
The Jackson Public School District administration presented and recommended approval of the district’s English Learner (EL) plan for the 2025–26 school year and described a new ATLAS program designed to accelerate language acquisition for emergent scholars.
Patrice Raiser, director of English language learners and special populations, told the board the EL plan was revised to meet Mississippi requirements and to reflect district changes and initiatives. She said the plan was designed to provide equitable access to instruction and invited trustee questions.
Board members asked about which sites would serve EL students. Administration answered that site names had changed: Wheaton was replaced with Shirley among the elementary sites. Raiser listed nine EL sites: five elementary (Bates, Boyd, Pecan Park, Spann and Shirley), two middle schools (Kirksey and Peebles) and two high schools (Callaway and Forest Hill).
New ATLAS program: Administration described the ATLAS program (Academy for Transforming Language Acquisition Skills), a targeted set of four bridge courses — supplemental English, compensatory math, ESL and ESL intervention — for emergent English learners in grades 6–10. The district said ATLAS will run at Forest Hill for high school students and include Peoples Middle School with teachers shifting to Kirksey on alternating days to provide instruction.
Why it matters: Officials said ATLAS aims to better prepare emergent English learners before they transition into core content classes by offering targeted instruction and supports aligned with district literacy goals.
Action/next steps: The EL district plan and ATLAS program were presented for board review and will be implemented as part of the 2025–26 academic year. Trustees thanked administrators and asked to continue updates on implementation and site-level outcomes.
