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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I’m an ESOL teacher in DCPS. If you put that you speak another language at home on your home language survey, it’s federal law that your child must be tested for ESOL services. If they don’t qualify for them through the test, then they won’t get them. If they need extra help, then they will get that. It’s sad that there is such a stigma around ESOL on this board. 
Generally, all testing for ESL is done by the Language Acquisition Division of DCPS and not at the school. Therefore, the principal cannot rush testing, as one PP suggested. At some schools, PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten are tested in school during the month of September, but that is the only time in school testing will occur. The test used for early childhood is oral language only and is very basic. I have tested many children who don’t qualify for ESL services. Once a child qualifies for ESL services, they will take tha ACCESS test every year until they exit ESL. In DC, they must score a 5 to exit. Parents have the right to refuse ESL services for their children, however, the law requires that they still take the ACCESS test every year. 
Finally, most schools are moving towards a push in model of instruction as opposed to pull out, so the students usually don’t miss out on instruction or any fun activities.  They just get some extra help with language if they need it.  I’m not sure where that idea came from. If that happens to your child, you should talk to their teachers about it. [/quote]

Thank you so much for this. I don’t think people above realized how hurtful and racist their comments sounded to me, a Central American speaker of Spanish.

Thank you. [/quote]

Forgot to mention that my husband got esol services when he emigrated from Europe. I also did for a short period. So there is no such thing as “those classes are not for your child”. That’s straight up racism. My kids are tested every year and they don’t miss out on anything.  I really think the op, her husband, and almost all the posters should take a hard look at themselves. [/quote]

First - What specific comments were racist and hurtful?  I have heard my fair share of ignorance, but I didn't feel that in previous posts (unless they were deleted).

Secondly - DC Public Schools have a much better staffing ratio for ELLs.   It's 21 students per ELL teacher.   Many charter schools don't even come close to that ratio, so ELL services might be extremely limited if anything.

Third - The Wida Access test is much too rigorous and to test as proficient (5 or above) requires too much advanced langauge from students.  Any student that passes the Access (4-5% of ELLs) is usually the "high flyer" of the class. 
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