ARRA - Omaha Public Schools

Project Title:

English as a Second Language

Project Coordinator:

Susan Mayberger

Project Location:

DEPT: Curriculum & Learning

Program:

SFSF

Program Type:

LEP Instructional Prog

Fund:

ARRA SFSF - LEP Instructional Prog

Budget Allocation:

1,863,750.00

Budget Report:

Project Description:

English as a Second Language Program (ESL)

This project is to promote the goals of the district’s ESL program.

High Student Achievement for English Language Learners (ELLs)
Providing a Highly Qualified Staff to Work with ELLs
Increasing Parental Involvement and Partnerships

This project provides additional teachers, paraprofessionals and interpreters to provide academic support to English Language Learners (ELLs) in meeting state standards. The project provides additional instructional programming for ELLs on Saturdays, Spring Break and the summer. Culturally-relevant materials will be developed for the Karen and Somali and Somali Bantu community in addition to materials that are commercially available. Instructionally technology will be utilized to provide learning opportunities that prepare students for the 21^st century. Student engagement will be increased through the Student Leadership inspired by Consuelo Kickbusch (SLiCK) program (summer of 2010( and through the enhancement of Student Leadership Clubs and the Student Leadership Institute (summer of 2011).

Professional development opportunities will be provided to staff working with ELLs through university coursework in ESL and Reading as well as the ESL Fall, Winter and Spring Conferences.

Parent involvement programming will include ESL classes for parents, family literacy activities and educational programming through World Refugee Day. Bilingual Liaison Specialists will be hired to promote parental programming and to support the bilingual liaisons in their work in connecting parents and families to schools.

Project Objectives:

Goal 1: High Student Achievement for English Language Learners (ELLs)

Objective 1: To increase the growth of ELLs in meeting state standards.

Objective 2: To increase the % of ELLs graduating from high school.

Goal 2: Providing a Highly Qualified Staff to Work with ELLs

Objective 1: To provide high quality professional development to teachers working with ELLs as measured by participant survey.

Objective 2: To provide high quality professional development to paraprofessionals working with ELLs as measured by participant survey.

Goal 3: Increasing Parental Involvement and Partnerships

Objective 1: To increase parental involvement of the parents of ELLs as measured by attendance at Parent-Teacher conferences and meetings.

Objective 2: To increase partnerships with agencies and organizations that will support the involvement of the community in the education of ELLs.

Baseline Data:

In the past, the district used CRT information to measure whether the ELLs were making Adequate Yearly progress. For the 2008-09 school year, the elementary ELLS met AYP for reading and math. The secondary ELLs did not meet AYP in all areas. The district did not meet AYP for ELLs on the 2009-10 NeSA-R. For the 2010-11 school year, AYP in reading will be measured with the NeSA-R.

Performance Indicators:

Goal 1: High Student Achievement for English Language Learners (ELLs)

Objective 1: To increase the growth of ELLs in meeting state standards.

This will be measured by NeSA-R and CRT performance in the 2009-10 school year. The NeSA-M will be utilized for math for the 2010-11 school year. At this time, the District does not know what the baseline score is for meeting AYP for this school year.

Objective 2: To increase the % of ELLs graduating from high school.

A review of the graduation rates for ELLs will document the increase in the % of ELLs graduating from high school.

Goal 2: Providing a Highly Qualified Staff to Work with ELLs

Objective 1: To provide high quality professional development to teachers working with ELLs as measured by participant survey.

Teachers that participate in the ESL Fall and Spring conference or ESL Endorsement program will indicate that the professional development experience was beneficial in providing additional strategies in meeting the needs of ELLs.

The evaluations at the Fall, 2010 and the Spring, 2011 conferences indicated that 98% of the participants felt that this professional development assisted them in meeting the needs of ELLs.

Objective 2: To provide high quality professional development to paraprofessionals working with ELLs as measured by participant survey.

Paraprofessionals that participate in the ESL Fall and Spring conference or paraprofessional training will indicate that the professional development experience was beneficial in providing additional strategies in meeting the needs of ELLs.

Goal 3: Increasing Parental Involvement and Partnerships

Objective 1: To increase parental involvement of the parents of ELLs as measured by attendance at Parent-Teacher conferences and meetings.

A review of the attendance at Parent-Teacher conferences and parent meetings will indicate that increasing numbers of ELL parents are participating.

Objective 2: To increase partnerships with agencies and organizations that will support the involvement of the community in the education of ELLs.

A review of the list of agencies and organizations that partner with the English as a Second Language program to support the education of ELLs will indicate that there is ongoing partnerships that benefit the education of ELLs.

Accomplishments:

1. Instructional technology was increased in all ESL programs.

2. Parent Involvement and ESL Classes for Parents increased through programming offered in schools and at the Yates Community Center. The enrollment for parents began with 40 in the summer of 2010 at Yates and is currently at 300.

3. 500 staff participated in the ESL Fall Conference. 200 staff participated in the ESL Spring Conference. Participants indicated that the conferences assisted them in meeting the needs of ESL students.

4. ESL Saturday and summer programming were expanded. Approximately 300 students participated in Saturday programming. All schools had a district summer school program with ESL support provided. There was an extended summer program for Refugee students in July with approximately 150 students.

5. 120 High school students participated in the SLiCK programming (student leadership)

6. Over 1,200 people participated in the ESL/Migrant Parent meeting in April, 2010.

7. Over 1,400 people participate in the World Refugee Day at Benson High School in June, 2011.

8. All buildings requesting additional interpreters to meet the needs of newly arrived students received this support.

9. The Take Home Reading program expanded to hundreds of additional texts for students.

10. Additional partnerships and activities with Lutheran Family Services, ConAgra Asian Network, Heartland Family Services, Somali Bantu Community Association, Southern Sudan Community Association and the Karen Society of Nebraska were implemented.

11. Additional bilingual liaisons were hired to increase parental involvement.

12. Additional college visits were made with students to promote high school graduation and a smooth transition to post-secondary opportunities.

DATE SUBMITTED: 3/7/2011 6:25 PM

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