Ashland committee hears detailed English‑learner report; approves Greece trip, private school and multiple policy changes

The Ashland Public Schools School Committee on Dec. 11 heard a detailed report on the district's multilingual and English‑learner (EL) population and approved several administrative items, including an April 20–26, 2026 student trip to Athens and nearby Greek islands, and a request to open Chesterton Academy of the Immaculata as a private high school in Ashland.

Christy Arnold, director for English language education, presented the EL program data and the district's approaches to improving student outcomes. "So currently, we have 926 multilingual learners, meaning they've listed a language other than English as their primary language at home," Arnold said, and she told the committee that 225 of those students were identified as English learners who need additional language support. Arnold also said 47 former ELs remain under four‑year post‑exit monitoring.

The presentation included test and progress details. Arnold reported that the district's average ACCESS (WIDA) score places students around level 3 on the 1–6 WIDA scale, described year‑to‑year testing participation, and summarized growth measures: 62 students were first‑time ACCESS test takers (counted as 100 percent progress for that administration), 134 students had taken ACCESS previously and 54 percent of that group met the state's progress target. Arnold cautioned the…