ESL Program Profile
The current ESL program in Putnam City Schools is designed to meet and exceed the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). In addition to language instruction, it is organized to identify, assess, and serve all eligible students as required by the NCLB Act. Furthermore, proper procedures are established to document the learning progress of our English language learners. A monitoring system is in place to guarantee the success of the students who have exited the program up to two years after being proficient in English.
The ESL program encompasses all the research-based curricula, which are typically found in fully developed ESL instruction across the United States.
Personnel
Putnam City School District ESL teachers provide all students who have been identified as English language learners with appropriate English instruction. Currently, the district has 28 ESL teachers and 8 bilingual assistants serving in our 27 sites. In addition, interpreters are contracted to help with uncommon languages upon request.
Instruction
The current ESL program consists of the following models:
• Pull-out
• Pull-in or Push-in
• Class period
• Sheltered English
Pull-out – The ESL pull-out is used in our elementary schools. Students spend most of the school day in a mainstream classroom, but are pulled out for approximately 40 minutes each day to receive instruction in English as a second language.
Pull-in or Push-in – The pull-in or push-in is used in our elementary school settings as well. The ESL teacher goes into the regular classrooms to teach the ELL students. The content of the instruction is based on the objectives selected by the regular classroom teacher(s). The nature of the ESL instruction is content-based. In addition, the ESL teacher meets the same group of students for pull-out instruction.
Class period – The ESL class period is used in the middle and high school settings. Students receive ESL instruction during a regular class period. They are grouped for ESL instruction according to their level of English proficiency.
Sheltered English – The sheltered English model is used to group language minority students from different language backgrounds together in classes where the ESL teacher is also certified in English. High school students are given English credit for successful completion of Sheltered English classes.
Additional Services
Many other helpful services are being offered to the Hispanic student population and community. Included in those services:
• La Raza Club at Putnam City West High School
• Hispanic Students’ Assemblies
• Hispanic College Night at Putnam City West High School
• Parents' Night at Putnam City West High School
• College Visits
• Club Med, a partnership with Francis Tuttle and Integris
Teacher Training
In an effort to support our English language learners in the mainstream classroom, we offer district-wide sheltered English training to ensure that our teachers are trained in cross-cultural issues, second language acquisition, and lesson modification techniques. Additionally, we frequently bring in consultants to provide training in "Research-based Instructional Strategies for English language learners.
Classes for Parents
Regarding our community, we offer English classes to parents of ELL students during school hours at selected sites. We also collaborate with other agencies to offer ESL classes after contract hours to our community.
For More Information
Jean Lainé, ESL/World Languages Coordinator
Putnam City Schools
5401 NW 40th
Phone: (405) 495-5200, ext. 1223
Email: jlaine@putnamciyschools.org