English Language Learner (ELL)

English Language Learners (ELLs) are students whose first language is one other than English and who are not yet sufficiently proficient in the English Academic Language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School uses a two-pronged approach to support ELL students who have limited English proficiency (LEP).  Students who are identified as ELLs receive both English Language Development (ELD) instruction and Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) instruction to assist them in developing the language skills necessary to participate fully in academic and career technical education classes.  ELL students’ skills are evaluated each year using the ACCESS for ELLs test, as required by state law.  The attached WIDA “Can Do” Descriptors Document outlines language-related tasks that students “can do” at each proficiency level, in each language domain.

Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School currently is a low incidence school; however, we fully support ELL students at the level of proficiency they have through individualized ESL instruction, Sheltered English Immersion in core academic classes, and supplemental support, as needed, in career technical areas. Annual Home Language Surveys are sent to all accepted ninth-grade students as part of the acceptance materials, and students are identified by sending communities if identified prior to attending Essex Tech. For more information, contact Katherine Burnham, Director of Special Education.