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Joplin Schools reports 545 English learners and expansion of supports
Summary
The district’s EL coordinator, Dr. Thomas, told the board the EL population is roughly 545 students speaking 42 languages, with 26 students exiting the program this year (up from 12 last year) and two instructional models in use tied to ACCESS test thresholds.
The Joplin Schools Board of Education on May 20 heard an update on English learners that highlighted program growth, staffing and instructional models.
Dr. Thomas (Janet Thomas Kaufman), the EL presenter, said the district serves about 545 EL students speaking 42 languages and that a single coordinator with nine teachers supports the program. She explained the district uses the ACCESS assessment (scores 1.0–6.0): students scoring 2.9 and below receive pull-out English instruction and additional support, while students scoring 3.0–4.6 remain in general-education classrooms with modifications and supports from EL teachers.
Dr. Thomas said 26 students exited the EL program districtwide this year, up from 12 exits last year, and described summer language camp and other supports intended to improve English proficiency and integration. She noted program models vary by site: some elementary schools have higher concentrations of particular languages and programs are adjusted accordingly.
Board members thanked Dr. Thomas for the report and noted the figures underscored continuing need for EL staffing and programming as the population grows.
