ESL: Initial Assessment (During the first two weeks)

1. The ESL staff at the student’s school of attendance will:
   • review the results of the Home Language Survey
   • review any school records, evidence of past schooling, etc. that are available
   • administer assessments of oral communication proficiency including listening and speaking
   • administer assessments of reading and writing skills including district assessments (Note: The writing assessment should be administered in the student’s native language)
   • examine samples of the student’s work from class
   • interact with the student (observe in class, meet for informal conversation, etc.) interact with the student’s parents (telephone conference, personal conference, etc.)
   • interact with teachers
   • All assessment results, anecdotal records, etc. will be maintained in a portfolio for each student in the ESL program.
2. The ESL staff will meet with regular education teachers to discuss:
   • language assessment results
   • teaching strategies for the student’s specific language level
   • required modifications to the regular district curriculum needed for the student
   • how the student’s progress will be assessed and graded (pass/fail) in the classroom
   • how the student’s progress will be explained to the student and his/her parents
   • coordination of the regular education program with ESL
   • scheduling of the student for ESL instruction
   • staff development needs
3. The ESL and regular education staff and administration will plan for communication with the student’s parents through the use of someone who speaks the parents’ native language (an interpreter, a teacher, another student, etc.).