STATE POLICY
English is the basic language of the state. Public schools are responsible for providing a full opportunity for all students to become competent in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending the English language. School districts in Texas are required by state and federal law to identify and provide language programs for students who are limited in their English proficiency. In accordance with the policy of the state to ensure equal educational opportunity to every student and to meet the educational needs of students who are English language learners, Rockwall ISD offers two programs: Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language.

BILINGUAL EDUCATION

ONE-WAY DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM, Pre-K – 6th Grade

Description:

• The program is a full-time bilingual instructional program that promotes language acquisition, literacy development, and academic learning in two languages.

• Dual Language indicates that students experience both Spanish and English language immersion.

• One-Way indicates that the program serves only Spanish-speaking students who are limited English proficient.

• Dual language is an additive bilingual education model that aims to develop full bilingualism and biliteracy by adding the second language (English) while maintaining and continuing to develop the first language (Spanish).

Goals:

• To build higher language, literacy and academic achievement for English language learners

• To develop language proficiency in English and in Spanish

• To promote inquiry, research, and life-long learning

Design:

• Students are enrolled in the program based on qualifying assessments and with parent permission.

• Students study the same grade level curriculum as the all-English program. Instructional materials are provided in both languages.

• Students experience both Spanish and English language immersion in an alternative day structure for grades Pre-K - 4, receiving instruction in all core content areas for 50% of the time in English and 50% of the time in Spanish. In grades 5 – 6, the amount of instruction in each language is commensurate with the students’ level of language proficiency and academic achievement.

• The integrations provided from one language to the other help students to organize ideas, learn concepts, and sharpen academic skills and provide a rich context for language acceleration in English, the second language.

• Students exit the program when exit criteria are met.

Campus Sites for the One-Way Dual Language (Bilingual) Program

• Howard Dobbs Elementary – Head Start (1 class) – Grade 2

• Amanda Rochell Elementary – Pre-K – Grade 3

• Dorris Jones Elementary – Pre-K – Grade 3

• Ouida Springer Elementary – Pre-K – Grade 6

ENGLISH as a SECOND LANGUAGE

Description:

• The program is an intensive program of instruction designed to develop proficiency in the comprehension, speaking, reading, and composition in the English language.

• This program is for speakers of other languages enrolled in the regular curriculum.

• Coordination between the ESL program and the regular education program is ongoing in order for the student to meet the grade level state standards.

Goals:

• To enable limited English proficient students to become competent in the comprehension, speaking, reading, and composition of the English language through the integrated use of second language methods.

• To emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, as integral parts of the academic goals for all students.

• To enable limited English proficient students to participate equitably in school.

Design:

ELEMENTARY, Pre-K – Grade 6

• Students are enrolled in the program based on qualifying assessment and with parent permission.

• Instruction is offered by ESL certified teachers for all or part of the day using special materials and second language methods.

• Time allotted for intensive ESL instruction is commensurate with the student’s level of English proficiency and academic achievement.

• ESL teachers deliver TEKS-based instruction that supports, supplements, and reinforces the grade level English language arts curriculum of the district.

• Students exit the program when exit criteria are met.

Campus Sites for Elementary ESL Programs

• Amanda Rochell Elementary

• Amy Parks-Heath Elementary

• Doris Cullins-Lake Pointe Elementary

• Dorothy Smith Pullen Elementary

• Dorris A. Jones Elementary

• Grace Hartman Elementary

• Howard Dobbs Elementary

• Nebbie Williams Elementary

• Ouida Springer Elementary

• Virginia Reinhardt Elementary

SECONDARY, Grades 7 – 12

• Students are enrolled in the program based on qualifying assessment and with parent permission.

• Instruction in English language arts is commensurate with the student’s level of English proficiency and level of academic achievement. Some students are scheduled into an ESL class in place of English and some receive modified instruction in an English class.

• Content area teachers trained in sheltered instructional approaches provide grade level TEKS-based instruction that addresses the affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs of limited English proficient students.

• Limited English proficient students may also be enrolled in elective courses in order to meet their academic needs.

• Students exit the program when exit criteria are met.

Campus Sites for Secondary ESL Programs

• J.W. Williams Middle School

• Maurine Cain Middle School

• Herman E. Utley Freshman Center

• Rockwall High School

• Rockwall-Heath High School

• Rockwall Quest Academy