What is FFX County ESL Policy?

[Anonymous]

Would appreciate some advice from those with first hand knowledge. I've been told (by a friend with a child in Mosby Woods) that Fairfax county schools have a policy of automatically placing incoming K students in ESL classes if a language other than English is spoken at their home, regardless of that particular child's fluency in English. True or false? We actually speak two languages other than English at home, but I don't want my child in ESL classes, so if that's their policy, we will be thinking private. DS isn't of school age yet but it's good to know these things in advance.

[Anonymous]

true.

[Anonymous]

We only speak English at home and that's all my dd knows even thought I speak another language. Why in the world would they place her in a ESL class? It is ridiculous, waste or time and money for sure.

[Anonymous]

It's true. If you don't want that to happen, don't tell them when you enroll your child (it's asked on one of the enrollment forms). FWIW, I've heard it's a great program (even for native English-speakers) and any child that's fluent in English is weeded out pretty quickly. I head this from my friend whose child speaks German and English at home and who was also pretty ticked when they found out this policy (after they'd completed enrollment forms).

[Anonymous]

My child was tested for ESL and was determined not to need ESL services - so that's not true. I received a message late last week saying I'd get a letter but they tested DD and she placed in class (or level- don't recall) 4 which means does not require ESL or not eligible... I can write more when i get the letter. I did put down mostly English- some Spanish at home.

[Anonymous]

Yes, please do - it would be great if they tested each kid to see if they need ESL services or not..Does it happen right in K, or at a certain grade only?

[Anonymous]

I haven't received the letter yet but DD did confirm she was tested- she is in K.. I don't think FCPS is dolling out freebies (special needs/ESL etc. are expensive to the state mandate of a right to education).. they will not take anyone's word for it- they will determine need. My nephew was special needs and they still retesting him though he had a trail from K and doctors evaluation- they all claim to need to know how to handle this situation in their county/state. He entered FCPS at 9th grade.

I will post later though once I get the letter.

[Anonymous]

Sort of true--all children with 2nd language are automatically SCREENED to determine whether they need ESL services. We enrolled this summer (move from MCPS to FCPS). I listed French and English on our forms and when the school registrar looked my papers over she alerted me that DC would be screened if I kept the language on the form. So I crossed French out. DC is fluent and it would be a waste of school resources.

[Anonymous]

Do they also qualify for Young Scholars?

[Anonymous]

Geez- whatever- screened or tested- reality is that they were tested. semantics.