Gatesville ISD reports emergent-bilingual (ESL) enrollment, reclassification and staff training progress

District staff presented the required annual evaluation of Gatesville ISD's emergent bilingual (EB/ESL) program and outlined current enrollment, testing and staff-certification efforts.

The presentation reported 157 students currently enrolled in services, 29 monitored students (exited but monitored), and a district figure of 186 students qualifying for ESL services in the 25-26 data snapshot. Staff explained reclassification criteria (TELPAS advanced-high plus STAAR reading meets/masters or end-of-course benchmarks) and said 12 students reclassified last year. The board heard data on test performance and that roughly 42 students were in the "did not meet" category on a referenced measure.

Administrators reviewed intervention programs used across grade bands (Imagine Learning for primary, ILET for fourth grade and up, Summit K-12 as curriculum practice) and noted professional development: several staff attended regional training and a subset have passed ESL certification. The district also described parent engagement efforts (English/Spanish newsletters, family nights, and community partners such as the public library) and introduced two new ESL staff members, Jane Vonda and Angela Saldivar, with Saldivar serving as the acting coordinator for the year.

Staff said the district will continue to prioritize growth and communications with parents and highlighted that procedural requirements (LPAC meetings, TELPAS training) remain in place to support students and teacher certification.