English Language Learners
Coordinator of Curriculum: Grades 9-12 and ELL K-12
Our mission is to provide all English Language Learners (ELLs) appropriate English language instruction to acquire essential interpersonal skills and academic language to become viable members of their schools and community. In order to fulfill our mission, instruction and support must take place in an environment that fosters positive self-image for each student and cross cultural sensitivity from all members of the learning community.
The English Language Learner (ELL) Program is a district program that focuses on providing ELLs Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) in all core content areas. The program offers high quality English language instruction and support for ELLs to meet academic standards in all subject areas.
All ELL teachers are licensed in ELL or Bilingual Education. They deliver well-planned sheltered instruction based on the most current educational research on Second Language Acquisition.
Our ELL teachers work together very closely in order to provide each individual ELL with the best possible language instruction based on the child’s specific needs. In addition, we encourage active participation from ELL families in improving their child’s acquisition of the English language and academic achievement.
The ELL Program provides continual support to these families through frequent communication, often with bilingual interpretation, to give parents a sense of responsibility for their child’s academic achievement and well-being. Initiatives such as ELL parent support seminars for elementary school parents, after-school programs at elementary, middle and high schools, and a partnership with an Asian community action program have proved to be very successful for all involved.
We are proud to be involved with such a rich, diverse population in our city, and it is our goal to fully support our ELL students and their families in overcoming the challenges of adapting to a new culture, acquiring English, succeeding academically, and becoming valuable members of the Quincy community.
The English Language Learner (ELL) Program is a district program that focuses on providing ELLs Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) in all core content areas. The program offers high quality English Language instruction and support for ELLs to meet academic standards in all subject areas. Please contact the ELL Coordinator at 617-984-8737 if you have any questions or concerns about your child or any part of our program.
ELL Program – Elementary/Middle Schools:
At the Elementary and Middle School levels, ELL teachers use a “pull-out” method where ELLs are given explicit English language instruction in a separate classroom from the mainstream classroom. Teachers use a variety of materials, texts, programs, and series to support effective delivery of meaningful content and linguistic instruction. They also work closely with literacy and reading teachers. Students are grouped by both grade level and fluency level to provide them the best possible learning environment to promote English language acquisition and development of academic skills.
Sheltered content instruction is provided by teachers who have already completed or are in the process of completing the mandated SEI Endorsement Training. Texts, materials and classroom instructions are modified to ELLs’ fluency levels.
All English Language Development curriculum are aligned to the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Standards as well as the 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
ELL Program – High School:
At the High School level ELL teachers instruct ELLs in courses whose curricula reflect students’ fluency levels, grades 9-12. These courses offer explicit instruction in all of the language domains (listening, speaking, reading, writing, grammar) and place a strong emphasis on development of academic language proficiency. Again, All English Language Development curriculum are aligned to the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Standards as well as the 2011 Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.
Teachers spend a great deal of the time preparing their students for MCAS and MEPA exams through test-taking strategies adapted for ELLs. Students at lower fluency levels are placed in sheltered content courses in core areas, such as math, history, science and social studies. The ELL Program also provides special electives for low-proficiency students in Pronunciation and Wellness.
For struggling students with learning difficulties or possible gaps in formal education in their native countries, the High School ELL Program offers Skills and Literacy courses with focus on academic language and skills. For students with learning difficulties, there is also an Academic Support class with individual students’ needs being addressed one-to-one by an ELL teacher.
Registration of New English Language Learners:
All students whose first language is not English and have Limited English Proficiency entering the Quincy Public Schools should call for an appointment to register. The Central Registration Office is located at Quincy High school, 100 Coddington Street, Quincy MA. Go to the Bradford Library, 2nd floor. Registration hours are Monday and Thursday afternoon between 1:00 and 2:30 p.m. The telephone number is 617-376-3383.
Registration Process and Forms Needed for Central Registration:
A parent or guardian must accompany the student. The family must bring report cards/transcripts, school transfer slip, health and immunization records, proof of residency, proof of birth date, name, address and telephone number of two emergency contacts, and for middle and high school students, a United States School Disciplinary Record. At that time, the Central Registration staff will complete the following forms:
- Contact Card
- QPS Health Form
- Central Registration/Assessment Form
- Home Language Survey Form
- Verification of Residency Letter
- Verification of Residency Form
- Verification of Residency Form 1 (Chinese)
- Verification of Residency Form 2 (Chinese)
- Verification of Residency Form 3 (Chinese)
- Record Release Form
WIDA-Access Placement Test (W-APT):
At the Central Registration appointment, the registering student is given the W-APT as a diagnostic test to specify their initial English fluency level prior to enrolling in school. This assists the Central Registration staff in placing the student in the appropriate level of English language instruction.
After the parent/guardian has signed the required forms, the Central Registration staff will place the student in the appropriate school with the recommended grade level.
Once students are part of the program, all ELLs are given the Access for ELLs Assessment once a year in the winter. The scores of this test, along with comprehensive local assessments from ELL classroom teachers, are used to determine progress of an ELL through the 5 proficiency levels dictated by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE.) ELLs like their native English-speaking peers, are expected to take the MCAS Exam and pass as a graduation requirement.
Based on local assessments, Access for ELLs, MCAS scores and ELL instructor evaluation, students may be moved to a different level where they receive a more adequate amount of instruction. Options include exiting the student from the program increasing or decreasing English language development in an ELL class, monitoring the student, or promotion to the next level/course. Students are assessed according to the mandate of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Criteria for considering that a student be monitored would be the recommendations of the ELL teacher, a fluency level 4 or 5 and/or appropriate success in meeting benchmarks in English Language Development.
If an ELL student is determined to be ready to exit the ELL Program, he/she will be considered FLEP (Former Limited English Proficient) and placed on Monitor Status for two full years. Monitoring is especially important at all levels, (elementary, middle and high school) for FLEP students in order to evaluate progress and achievement after ELL services.
All ELLs entering Quincy Public Schools can receive a diploma after completion of local graduation requirements and successfully passing the MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System.) Local graduation requirements are found in the Quincy High School Program of Studies.
Additional Resources and Links:
ELL Family Support:
Quincy Public Schools encourages active participation from ELL families in improving their child’s acquisition of the English Language and academic achievement. The ELL Program provides continual support to these families through frequent communication, often with bilingual interpretation, to give parents a sense of responsibility for their child’s academic achievement and well-being. The following initiatives have been offered to ELL students and their families:
- ELL parent support seminars for elementary school parents
- After-School programs at elementary, middle and high schools
- Partnership with an Asian community action program to provide resources and ESOL classes
- Summer School courses (SWELL Academy for middle School ELL students)
- Bilingual support through translations of important documents and interpreters for parent-teacher conferences or meetings
- Mentoring Programs and Homework help at middle and high schools
Massachusetts Department of Education: