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Clinton Public Schools

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Program Description

Program Description

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The English Learner Education Program at Clinton Public Schools is offered to English learners in grades K-12.  An English Learner is a child who does not speak English or whose native language is not English, and is not currently able to perform ordinary classroom work in English. The terms English Learner, English Language Learner, and limited English proficient (LEP) are interchangeable.

Initially, an incoming student’s “ability to perform ordinary classroom work in English” is based upon information provided in his/her home language survey, English language proficiency screening results, and the student’s previous record.

Under M.G.L. c. 71A as amended in 2002, districts are required to provide Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) instruction to limited English proficient students.  SEI is provided through Clinton Public Schools’ ELE Program.

  • In Sheltered English Immersion programs, districts must ensure the progress of EL students in developing listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing in English, and in meeting academic standards by providing instruction in the two components of SEI.  They are 1) English as a Second Language / English Language Development, and 2) sheltered content.

    • English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction (also known as English language development or ELD) is explicit, direct, and systematic instruction about the English language intended to promote second language acquisition and English language proficiency by ELL students.  All students in ESL classrooms are ELL students.
      NOTE: Clinton Public Schools only groups ELs of different ages together in instructional settings if their levels of English proficiency are similar. The district’s grouping of students ensures that ELs receive effective content instruction at appropriate academic levels and that ESL/ELD instruction is at the appropriate proficiency level and based on the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) standards.
    • Sheltered content instruction is instruction that includes approaches, strategies and methodology that make the content of the lesson more comprehensible to students who are not yet proficient in English.

  • At CPS, English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking of all ELL students is assessed annually.  Assessments include:

    1. WIDA Access Placement Test (W-APT), as required by the district
    2. ACCESS for ELLs, as required by the Massachusetts Department of   Elementary and Secondary Education.

    CPS ELL students also participate in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).  ELL students who are in their first year in the U.S. are not required to take English Language Arts (ELA) MCAS, but it is recommended that they take the test in order to become familiar with the format.

  • When an ELL student demonstrates that he or she is proficient in English, that student will be exited from the ELL program and monitored for up to two years. Proficiency in English is determined by language assessments in listening, speaking, reading, and writing; and by passing all academic subjects at grade level. For more information, see CPS’ document, “Reclassification/Exit Policy”.

    If parents believe that their child should be placed in a program other than Clinton’s English Language Learner Program, they have the right to request a waiver for alternate placement. Parents also have the right to decline ELL services and may visit CPS to opt their child out of the English Language Learner Program. For more information, see CPS’ document, “Declining Entry to a Program”.

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