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English as a Second Language

Harmony Public Schools (HPS) follow state law TAC §89.1201 and identifies English Language Learners (ELLs) and provides them a full opportunity to participate in an ESL program, as required in the TEC, Chapter 29, Subchapter B.

To ensure equal educational opportunity, as required in the TEC, §1.002(a), HPS:

  1. Identify ELLs based on criteria established by the state;
  2. Provide bilingual education/English as a Second Language programs, as integral parts of the regular program as described in the TEC, §4.002;
  3. Seek certified teaching personnel to ensure that ELLs are afforded full opportunity to master the essential knowledge and skills required by the state; and
  4. Assess achievement for essential knowledge and skills in accordance with the TEC, Chapter 39, to ensure accountability for ELLs and the schools that serve them.

Mission Statement

It is the mission of the ESL program in HPS to provide ELLs with second language instruction that will promote English language development and enable them to participate equitably in both social and academic settings.

Vision Statement

It is the vision of the ESL program in HPS to equip the ELLs with the language skills and strategies that will help them become productive, successful and responsible members of society.

Program Information

The goal of ESL Program is to enable ELLs to become competent in listening, reading, speaking and writing. Through the use of communicative and integrative methods of second language teaching the program focuses on mastery of English language skills. In addition, the program emphasizes mastery in the content areas of ELA, mathematics, science and social studies. All content area teachers adhere to the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) in order to provide the necessary support to ELLs to acquire the specific content. There are two types of instructional design options in the program; content based and pull out.

  • In the content based option, an ESL certified full-time teacher provides supplementary instruction for all content area classes in a structured, non-threatening environment.
  • In the pull out option, ELLs spend part of the day in their mainstream classroom, and are pulled out for a portion of each day to receive specialized instruction by a certified ESL teacher in a small group setting.

Policy

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