English learners
The term “English learner” is applied to non-native speakers who are in the process of acquiring English and whose current proficiency level in English may qualify them for supplemental services through the State Transitional Bilingual Program. The goal of the English learner program is to assist students in obtaining English language proficiency to reach academic success.
Qualifying for services
Students qualify for services based on response to a home language survey and a language assessment that measures the student’s language skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
How students are served
At all grade levels, the primary goal is ensuring that English learners have access to and successful participation in all district programs. The EL program supports and supplements instruction received in the regular classroom. Services for students are supported by certified teachers, classroom teachers with an EL endorsement and/or instructional assistants.
At lower language-acquisition levels, students work one-on-one or in small groups with certified teachers and instructional assistants to develop basic English language skills. Primary responsibility for academic instruction remains with the classroom teacher.
At higher language-acquisition levels, students are encouraged to remain in the classroom, where they are supported through supplemental programs, content is presented in chunks, students receive tools for aiding understanding and teachers tailor instruction to meet each student’s needs.
Contacts
Lynnell Tsugawa-Murray
Director of federal programs; supervises the EL program at the district level
360-885-5376
Email
Stephanie Welniak
EL program coordinator
360-885-1548
Email
WIDA ACCESS: Annual language proficiency assessment
Battle Ground schools will administer the WIDA ACCESS and WIDA Alternate ACCESS, which assess English language skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
While families have the right under federal law to refuse standardized assessments, the Department of Education still requires districts to assess 100% of their qualifying students with the WIDA ACCESS. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction strongly encourages families to participate in the annual testing each year.
The results a student earns on the WIDA ACCESS assessment help determine whether their English skills and knowledge are sufficient to exit the English language development program at school. State-identified English learners who do not test continue to be eligible for English development services at school regardless of their skill level in English. For some students, not taking the assessment may mean remaining in a language program longer than is needed.
Read more
English language proficiency screeners
11104 N.E. 149th Street,
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 200 
360-885-5300