IB Language Development Policy
Rationale/Purpose
School District U-46 is committed to providing high-quality Multilingual and Multicultural Education (MME) Programs that value a student’s native language and culture to ensure linguistic, academic, and social-cultural success. We believe that in order to ensure academic success for all learners, it is essential to provide instructional programs based on the most effective teaching and learning practices that are grounded in scientifically-based research.
Therefore, we are committed to the following beliefs that will allow teachers to:
- Promote understanding of and respect for the cultural and linguistic diversity of students, parents, staff, and the community.
- Provide instruction that builds on students’ cognitive abilities and prior education that will enable students to achieve high standards.
- Provide standards-based instruction for students in the most appropriate setting according to students’ academic and linguistic profiles, state, and district guidelines.
- Emphasize English language development and content area learning at every grade level, Pre-K through 12.
- Use native language instruction to develop a deeper conceptual and linguistic proficiency that is strongly related to the development of literacy in the English language.
- Use native language instruction, as available, to access content area curriculum while simultaneously providing English language instruction.
- Provide ongoing, consistent district-wide assessment of students that reflects the stages of English language acquisition.
- Provide ongoing, consistent district-wide assessment of students that reflects the stages of Spanish language acquisition.
- Evaluate student achievement data and make program adjustments to continually improve student learning.
- Develop and maintain services in the areas of special needs, gifted, and at-risk students.
- Support and expand early childhood and family literacy programs.
- Develop teaching competencies through comprehensive professional development based on best practices for English Learners and educator professional standards.
Language Learning at Elgin High School
As the secondary building with the largest Dual Language program, Elgin High School offers an extensive list of courses instructed in English and Spanish from which students can choose. Courses that are offered in Spanish include both core course graduation requirements, as well as elective courses for academic enrichment. These courses support our Dual Language learners in continuing their conversational and academic language development in both English and Spanish.
Students in our Dual Language program can continue their participation in the program while also enrolling in the IB programming at Elgin High School. As their Spanish Language arts course line, students will enroll in the Language B Spanish course in their junior and senior years. For their additional elective in their junior and senior years, students will enroll in the IB Visual Arts course delivered in the instructional language of Spanish. Doing so will allow our U-46 Dual Language students to potentially earn both distinctions of the Dual program as well as the full IB diploma.
Each school year, students who have indicated their mother tongue to be a language other than English participate in the ACCESS testing provided by the District. This is scored using the WIDA language criteria which assess a student’s proficiency in English in each of the following domains: speaking, listening, writing, and reading. Students who score 1 - 5 in alignment with the WIDA criteria are enrolled in courses to continue supporting their English language development. Classes are dependent upon students’ English proficiency, but students may qualify for language supports in their math, science, social studies, and/or English language arts courses.
Students outside of the District’s ELL programs will also engage in language acquisition courses offered as a part of the IB course offerings. Those students who have completed some previous school-based instruction in Spanish or French should enroll in the Language B course for that language. Those students who have not had prior classroom exposure to either of these languages should enroll in the ab initio Spanish course that will also be offered.
Language Learning Supports
Elgin High School staff has engaged in extensive professional development sessions aimed at equipping teachers with tools to support additional language learners who are enrolled in courses taught in a language other than their mother tongue. Tools and strategies that are routinely utilized include providing visual aids, graphic organizers, demonstrations and modeling, and collaborative learning groups based on language levels. Through these methods, classroom instruction supports language learners in their language development. Additionally, teachers utilize the support of in-building translators to provide instructional materials and classroom communication in both English and Spanish for both students and parents to access.
Students can receive additional language support by attending the after-school tutoring program, called Fresh Start, which staffs several of our bilingual teaching members to support students in their mother tongue in each of the major course subject areas: language arts, science, math, and social studies. The Fresh Start program is available to students Monday through Thursday most weeks of the school year.
Parents and guardians can access translation and interpretation services through both the building and district-level offices to assist with one-on-one communication with teachers and school staff. Teachers may also initiate these services to communicate with parents and guardians.
The following document provides the current list of in-building translators and interpreters to support parent/teacher meetings and dialogue. Language Services Documentation
Policy Review
Elgin High School’s DP Language Policy is to be reviewed every other year on even-numbered years by the EHS IB Committee members, teacher department leadership committees including SIP and SD, building pedagogical leadership team, and parents. Review Team members will ensure this policy continues to appropriately support students in accessing the IB course curriculum and examinations.