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Board approves ESOL program plan after presentation highlighting 800 students in program and grant supports
Summary
The board approved the 2025–26 ESOL program plan after staff presented that roughly 800 students are served (about 347 of refugee background), 67 languages are spoken, two‑thirds of ESOL students showed typical or high growth on WIDA ACCESS, and several grants (Dept. of Children and Families, United Way) support services.
The Oshkosh Area School District voted to approve its 2025–26 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program plan after administrators described student counts, assessment results and grant‑funded supports.
Dr. Coleman introduced the workshop and emphasized the district’s framing that students served through ESOL are “Oshkosh Area School District students.” Stephanie McKenzie, the district ESOL coordinator, said the district currently serves roughly 800 students in ESOL, about 347 of whom are students of refugee background, and that 67 languages are spoken in the district. She said refugee resettlement has been suspended, but secondary migration within the Fox Valley has kept ESOL numbers stable.
McKenzie and the multicultural outreach team cited assessment evidence of growth: two‑thirds of ESOL students made typical or high growth on the WIDA ACCESS language assessment, and for the first time since 2020 some ESOL students hit the ACT ELA benchmark. The presenters said the district’s ESOL processes align with Title III and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) requirements and noted a few minor updates to data systems (moving individualized learning plans to NextPath and referencing WIDA ACCESS changes).
Staff also described grant funding and community partnerships that support ESOL services. The presenters said they receive multiple grants from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (refugee school impact, refugee youth mentor, Afghan refugee school impact) and support from the Oshkosh Area United Way for refugee youth mentoring; those grants help expand tutoring, mentoring, summer programming, swim lessons and other culturally responsive supports.
A board motion to approve the ESOL plan passed on a roll‑call vote; members spoke in support, noting the value of the students and the district’s programming. Administration said the plan will be implemented in accordance with state requirements and the district’s ESOL processes, and that they will continue to track outcomes and report back to the board.
