Presented to Joint Committee: Senate Committee on Education/House Committee on Education – Supporting Our English Learners in a

Changing Minnesota

February 18, 2014

Share what Bloomington Public Schools are doing to help EL students

Start by describing MN’s and Bloomington’s EL student population and challenges

Over one out of every five Bloomington elementary school

students is an EL student

Language Diversity

1. Wyoming

8. Florida

19. California

41. Minnesota

EL Students who are Spanish speakers

One of every three MN African Americans moved residence in 2010

Mobility

Minnesota had the 7th highest mobility rate in the USA

Average CALT Reading scores for continuously enrolled EL students vs mobile EL students

Bloomington’s experience agrees with research findings

EL students often need more than 5 years of extra EL academic support

New EL Program Model based on MSU-Mankato Recommendations – EL mission statement and EL program that includes more team-teaching and a focus on academic and oral language to better meet needs of long-term ELs.

Alignment of New EL Standards With Current Instructional Practices

Focus on EL Transitions Between Pre-school, Elementary, Middle School, High School and Post-Secondary

Summer Programs - United Way Grant

Pilot After School Programming – Elementary Level

Intentional Collaboration Between Departments

Learning Supports

Goal:Create for every EL student a dynamic personalized learning plan that leads to a college and/or career plan

Four Year Olds

English Learners and/or Low Income

Free to Families – Transportation Provided

Six Sites

Parent Involvement Component

Creates Early Connection Between Schools and Families

Family Academies

Family Stars University

Cultural Liaisons

Family Engagement Coordinators

Social Workers

Parent Groups

Individual School Efforts

Use Research and Data to help produce results

iPhone and Android App

Pathway information for parents