Limited English Proficiency Programs (LEP)

Blaine County currently has a 25% Hispanic population, and if the current growth trend continues, that number may increase to 50% by the year 2017. This means the School District has to help more children who have limited or no proficiency with the English language. We provide a variety of programs to serve these children, including our English as a Second Language (ESL) program and our Dual Immersion Bilingual Education Program.

Vision

Our vision is for a School District free of bias where all children are learning every day at comparable rates, regardless of ethnic or language background.

Mission

Our mission is to create a School District where all languages and cultures are respected, where students have the same opportunities for academic growth regardless of their native language, and where academic achievement is not predetermined by language background.

Goals

To promote respect for cultural and linguistic diversity.
To have all entering students literate by the end of third grade.
To develop literacy skills of students entering beyond kindergarten within three years of school entry.
To reduce the academic achievement gap between English-speaking and non-English-speaking students.
To increase parental participation in their children's education.
To increase graduation rates and decrease dropout rates for second language learners.
To provide leadership opportunities and advanced placement opportunities for linguistically and culturally diverse students.
To provide professional development related to the needs of second language learners.
To advocate for the needs of second language learners.

Programs

The District provides content-based ESL for other elementary second language learners who are not selected for the bilingual program. This program uses content-based curriculum designed to teach LEP students skills which include listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and may also include study skills, content-based vocabulary, and native language support. In the early grades, emphasis is on literacy development. These programs provide a combination of pullout and in-class support.

At the secondary level, the District uses structured English immersion. The goal is for LEP students to succeed in an English-only environment. Instruction is primarily in English, with the use of native language support for newcomers. Native language literacy development is provided for students who require it. Bilingual assistance is also provided for mainstream content classes.

At the high school level, sheltered content classes are provided on a rotating basis for some required high school classes. Requirements such as World History, Physical Science and Math have been included in this rotation.

For more information on these programs, please contact the Director of Second Language Services at 578-5000.