English Learners (EL)

English Learning Staff

The School District of Milton’s English Learning (EL) Team meets quarterly to assess and monitor programming for EL students in the district, while exploring additional opportunities to build the program. The EL Team consists of the following staff members:

• Ryan Ruggles, Director of Curriculum and Instruction
• Amy Mallon, District EL Coordinator and K-6 EL Teacher
• Laura Heinen, 7-12 EL Teacher

In addition to the EL teachers, Milton West Elementary School and Northside Intermediate School have EL aides to further support students with their academics and language acquisition.  Beth Poad serves as the EL aide at Milton West Elementary School, and Catherine Gottsacker serves as the EL aide at Northside Intermediate School.

EL Program Plan

The School District of Milton utilizes methods and services to ensure that ELs can meaningfully participate in the academic and special programs.  With the low incident rate of ELs attending School District of Milton, the program type that serves ELs is primarily structured English immersion.  Classroom teachers design instruction based upon the WIDA Performance Indicators.  Individual student instruction is detailed on the Individualized Learning Plan (ILP).

Staff working with ELs have received access to professional development in supporting ELs in their classroom.  This training includes foundational concepts, instructional strategies, and differentiation based on the WIDA language standards. This has been offered to our staff through the online inservices and trainings, as well as individualized consultation with EL Committee members.

The district utilizes a Response to Intervention (RtI) model to provide interventions to those students targeted for additional support.  These interventions may include an increase in frequency, duration and intensity of core subjects and are outlined in the student ILP.  The district does not separate ELs beyond the extent necessary to achieve the goals of ILP.

Language development services are delivered within the regular classroom.  ELs assessed at an ELP Level 1 will receive additional language support through Rosetta Stone language software at the high school, middle school level, and sixth grade. At the high school level, a Study Skills for EL class period is offered for students at ELP Levels 1-5.

The support delivery model is instruction through inclusionary support with individualized services received through Title I, paraprofessional support, and at-risk programs.  All Levels 1-5 of ELs are served with this model.  Both language instruction and academic instruction are the responsibility of all staff serving ELs.  The District EL Program Coordinator assumes overall responsibility for overseeing the appropriate instruction to ELs.

The district offers a summer school program with courses in reading, mathematics, and a variety of enrichment course. These classes are open to all students, including our ELs and are taught by certified staff.