Sunday, May 19, 2013

Program Information

Federal and State Law requires any student in Early Childhood through 12th grade who has a primary language other than English in their home be tested for their English Proficiency.  If the student is identified for services, the child is placed in a general education classroom. 

The district provides specialized curriculum to assist students in obtaining their English Proficiency in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  Services are delivered in a pull-out situation, or in ELL content classes. 


ELL Centers

English Language Center Schools

  • Starside Elementary School, De Soto
  • Riverview Elementary School, Shawnee
  • Lexington Trails Middle School, De Soto
  • Mill Creek Middle School, Lenexa
  • De Soto High School, De Soto
  • Mill Valley High School, Shawnee

Each of our centers has certified teachers who have received specialized training to work with English Language Learners.

English Language Proficiency

All identified ELL students in grades K-12 are required through No Child Left Behind to take the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment (KELPA) in the spring of each school year to determine their English Language Proficiency.  Students who score at the fluent level in all four areas of the test (Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing) for two consecutive years will be exited from the program. A student's academic progress will then be monitored for two additional years after exiting the program. 

Parents have the right to waive ELL services if they do not wish their child to receive them.  Any parent who desires to waive the services is asked to contact the district ELL Coordinator for the appropriate forms.