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East Central ISD: bilingual and ESL programs serve about 3,700 students; reclassification climbs
Summary
District staff reported bilingual and ESL programs together serve roughly 3,713 students, with notable reclassification gains (from 10 to 135 last year) after state criteria changes. Presenters outlined teacher certification counts, waiver reporting, and supports for emergent bilinguals.
A district presenter, speaking for Dr. Amagosa Martinez, briefed trustees on bilingual and English‑as‑a‑second‑language programs and said the district currently serves roughly 3,713 students across those programs.
Key figures presented: the dual‑language bilingual program serves 877 students at Salado and Oakcrest; the ESL program serves about 843 students; and the program classified as "languages other than English" serves about 1,993 students, for a combined total of approximately 3,713 students receiving language services.
The presenter emphasized compliance and monitoring systems: the district uses a language proficiency assessment committee (LPAC) and the state’s TELPAS instrument to monitor growth. The board heard that reclassification of emergent bilinguals rose substantially after state changes — presenters said reclassifications increased from 10 in a previous year to 135 students who met criteria last school year — and that reclassified students will be monitored for two years.
Staff also outlined teacher certification and waiver counts: elementary bilingual programs reported 48 certified bilingual educators and five educators on exemptions; ESL staffing included 135 certified teachers and 39 on waivers (numbers to be posted on the TEAL platform for compliance reporting). The bilingual department described three phases of support and professional development for uncertified teachers, reimbursement for substitute coverage to take assessments, regular instructional assistant training, and community programs including adult ESL and a new GED cohort.
Trustees asked clarifying questions; staff said the more detailed TEAL submission and campus‑level data will be available in the coming week.
