Title III - ESL Program
ML (Multilingual Learners)
Multilingual Learners (MLs) are identified based on English language proficiency testing (our district uses the WIDA testing), and is required by the state of North Carolina. The required assessment is given before students start attending school, and is administered if a language other than English is spoken at home. After testing, we collaborate with teachers to determine appropriate service levels.
MACS ML students receive English language support via a variety of service delivery models:
- Co-Teaching: MLs receive service in the regular education classroom. The ML teacher and the content teacher collaborate to share instructional responsibilities which include planning, assessing, and day-to-day instruction.
- Pull-out/Push-in: ELLs receive service outside the regular education classroom in small-group, differentiated, content-based ESL classes taught by ESL-certified teachers.
- Sheltered Instruction: Sheltered instruction is a research-based instructional model that integrates language and content instruction. It is designed to make content material more comprehensible to Multilingual Learners.
Regardless of the level of services provided, all students identified as MLs must take the annual ACCESS English language proficiency test in the spring, as it is a federal requirement. This annual test measures the growth students make towards proficiency in English, as measured by listening, speaking, reading, and writing portions of the ACCESS test. The ACCESS test also determines their exit criteria.
Our mission is to assist MLs acquire the English necessary to succeed both academically and within their communities. We support Multilingual Learners as they acquire English by:
- Immersing students in meaningful language experiences that utilize listening, speaking, reading and writing.
- Utilizing best practices to support MLs in accessing content.
Our students will:
- Recognize the value of their cultural and linguistic diversity, while appreciating the diversity of others
- Develop their critical thinking skills, creativity, and self-worth.
- Be prepared to serve and participate in their communities as literate 21st Century Citizens.