Gurrie Middle School

English Language Learners (ELL)
Welcome to the English Language Learner Department. Students who qualify for program services through an English language proficiency screening receive EL services at their school. Students receive varying levels of language and content support based on the English proficiency level, academic and language needs of the student. The majority of the instruction takes place in the general education classroom with push-in support from the EL teacher.

- All students whose parents have indicated on a Home Language Survey (HLS) that a language other than English is spoken in the home or by the student, must take an English language proficiency test to determine if they qualify for EL services and to identify program placement.
- Students who are assessed with the Screener and qualify for EL services are required to participate in the ACCESS for ELLs™ annual assessment.
ACCESS Assessment

Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners.

What is ACCESS for ELLs?
- ACCESS for Els is an English language is an annual proficiency exam administered to students who qualify for English learner services.
- ACCESS measures what students know and can do in English in the domains of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
Why administer ACCESS?
- Gives teachers a proficiency level of where the students are in building language skills.
- Test scores also help teachers track your child’s progress in academic English acquisition and help schools decide what English language support services to provide
- The Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee (BPAC) consists of parents/guardians of students enrolled in the bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL) program, bilingual and ESL teachers, administrators, and community leaders.
- The committee participates in the planning, operation, and evaluation of the Transitional Bilingual and ESL programs.
- Parents of EL students, and community members are encouraged to attend the meetings.