Most Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How are students identified for bilingual education services?

    A Home Language Survey (HLS) is administered to all national origin students enrolled at Detroit Public Schools to identify potentially eligible students for bilingual services. A list of state and federal mandates under Title III and the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 can be found at the Detroit Public Schools website: http://detroitk12.org/admin/academic_affairs/ells-gl/

  2. How is the language proficiency level of English language learners determined?

    NCLB requires English language learners (ELLs) to be assessed annually. The English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) is a state-wide measurement that must be administered in the spring or the ELPA Screener throughout the year to determine the language performance level of ELLs.

  3. How is the curriculum for English Language Arts different for English language learners?

    The district has adopted the Hampton-Brown Avenues and High Point curriculum for English language learners (ELLs). This English Language Arts curriculum is correlated with the state standards in the content areas, so that children are learning with the same rigor as their English-speaking counterparts. When students are proficient in English, they may be mainstreamed into an all-English curriculum. Bilingual staff members provide support to children and parents. They also utilize differentiated instruction to assure academic achievement.

  4. What languages are served by the Detroit Public Schools?

    While children from any language group are eligible and may participate, the five major language groups include: Arabic, Bengali, Hmong, Romanian, and Spanish. (Spanish-speaking students are the largest language population served.)

  5. Can a student learn another language in a bilingual school?

    The District has a Dual-Language Immersion School which operates on an application process (K-8). Other schools may choose to develop theme schools to promote dual language curriculums. However, the primary goals of bilingual education are to facilitate the learning of English and to increase academic achievement.

  6. What services are provided by the Office of English Language Learners & Global Languages for bilingual students and staff?

    The Office of English Language Learners & Global Languages sponsors After-School and Summer School Programs to support the academic achievement of English language learners. In addition, professional development opportunities are offered throughout the school-year to support staff members who work with bilingual students.

  7. Are translation services provided by the Office of English Language Learners & Global Languages?

    No. The Office of English Language Learners & Global Languages does not provide translation services for the district. A list of qualified translators will be provided to schools and/or departments upon request. Please note that under NCLB, all communications given to parents must be in a language they can understand.

 

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