Program Model

Center Based Program

Blue Valley Schools operates a center-based ESOL program, which means students who require English language services may need to attend a neighboring school to receive those services. Students in this situation are provided with free daily bus transportation.

The district currently has 12 elementary, five middle and three high school ESOL center schools. All ESOL teachers in Blue Valley are highly qualified and ESOL licensed.

View the Center/Feeder schools

Benefits of ESOL Program

Blue Valley Schools’ ESOL program provides instruction in English language acquisition to help students succeed academically and adapt socially and culturally.

Through direct ESOL instruction, students develop the English proficiency needed to succeed in general education classrooms. Instruction supports all four domains of English language development—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—and helps students master both academic and social language. Lessons are scaffolded so that English learners can work at their individual proficiency levels in small group settings within the ESOL classroom. All instruction is led by highly qualified, ESOL-endorsed teachers who foster a nurturing and academically rigorous environment.

Multilingual Learners (MLs) are enrolled full time in ESOL center schools and participate in general education classrooms throughout the day. They also receive dedicated ESOL instruction for approximately 30 to 60 minutes each day. Students at beginning proficiency levels receive additional support as needed.

At the middle and high school levels, English learners are scheduled into one or more ESOL class periods daily, based on their proficiency level.

For students new to the country, the ESOL curriculum also includes support in adjusting to the American school environment and culture.

ILP: Individual Learning Plan

All students who qualify for English language services have an Individual Learning Plan (ILP). ESOL teachers create the plan to monitor progress, set student goals, and determine any necessary modifications or accommodations. These supports make instruction and assessments understandable to students.

Waiving Services

Guardians have the right to decline daily ESOL services for the current school year or to cancel a waiver at any time. If services are waived, the student is still required to take the state English language proficiency assessment each year until they reach proficiency. If the waiver is canceled, the Multilingual Learner (ML) will be placed in ESOL classes.

Progress Monitoring

KELPA

The state of Kansas requires that all students who qualify for English language services take a state proficiency assessment: Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA). This assessment measures students speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills. KELPA is administered in the second semester.

Who takes the KELPA?

• Students who are eligible for ESOL services (but denied or refused them)

• Students who receive ESOL services

Once a student scores Proficient on the KELPA, one of two paths may follow:

• The student enters a transition year, during which they continue to receive ESOL services for one more year

• The student moves directly to monitored status for the next two years

Students who are in either transition or monitored status no longer take the KELPA. If a transition year is completed, the student then moves to monitored status.

If a student does not score Proficient on the KELPA, they will continue to receive ESOL services and will be reassessed annually.

Monitored/Transition Students

Transition Students

If a student scores Proficient on the KELPA but the school or family believes the student would benefit from continued English language support, they may receive ESOL services for one additional year. After the transition year, the student will either move to monitored status or, in rare cases, be retested for re-entry into the ESOL program.

Monitored Students

If a student does not need a transition year, they move directly to monitored status for two years. While they are no longer receiving ESOL services, their progress is still tracked to ensure continued success in the general education classroom.

KELP Standards

The state of Kansas adopted new Kansas English Language Proficiency (KELP) Standards on Sept. 11, 2018. These standards are closely aligned with K–12 English Language Arts (ELA) standards and are designed for use by all educators of Multilingual Learners (MLs).

The goal is for all students to achieve English language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

View the state KELP (Kansas English Language Proficiency) standards.