School districts provide supplementary English language development services to students who are acquiring English as an additional language and are identified as English Learners (EL). Such services are intended to assist ELs in becoming proficient in English while they are participating fully in the instructional curriculum of the district. State and federal laws require school districts to identify potential EL and provide English language development services to all eligible students.

All K-12 students who register for school in Washington are asked to identify their primary language through the Home Language Survey. The Home Language Survey is used to identify students who may qualify for English language development services. Per state law, "Primary language" refers to the language most often used by a student (not necessarily by parents, guardians, or others) for communication in the student's place of residence. A response that includes a language other than English to question #2 OR question #3 triggers English language proficiency placement testing. Responses to questions #1 or #4 of a language other than English could prompt further conversation with the family to ensure that #2 and #3 were clearly understood. “Formal education” in #7 does not include refugee camps or other unaccredited educational programs for children. The Home Language Survey is given to all students enrolling in Washington schools.

• What language did your child first learn to speak?
• What language does YOUR CHILD use the most at home?

Administration of this screener is federally mandated and does not require parent permission; however, districts must inform the family of identified English Learner students of their placement in English language development services. Kent School District uses the letter below, which is provided by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to all school districts in Washington.

Letter

Kent Parent Notification of Student Placement
English Language Development Program

Child’s Name:
Date:
School:
School District: Kent School District 
Enrollment Status:  ___ New to the program  ___ Continuing in the program

Dear Parent or Guardian,

I am pleased to inform you that your child will receive support through an English language development program for the 2021-2022 school year.  Your child’s score on the state-approved English language proficiency assessment places him/her at an instructional level ____.  (This score is ranged from 1 to 6). 

The purpose of the program is to provide language instruction for students developing proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. The program will also assist your child to meet age-appropriate academic achievement standards for grade promotion and graduation.

Students remain eligible for the English language development program until they demonstrate proficiency on the state-approved English language assessment.  Most students successfully exit the program within 3.76 years. When exited from the program, your child’s performance will continue to be monitored to determine if additional academic support is needed.  The expected 4-year graduation rate is 72.24% and the extended-year graduation rate is expected to be 73.33% among high school students who participate in this program.

If your child has a disability, the English language development program will coordinate with appropriate staff to meet the objectives of your child’s Individualized Education or 504 Plan.

I strongly encourage your child’s participation in the English language development program and invite you to learn more about the benefits of the program. However, you have the right to remove your child from the language instruction program at any time. You may also have the right to choose a different language development program if one’s available at your child’s school.

Please contact us or visit your child’s school to discuss your child’s progress in English language development and academic achievement. Contact your child’s school if you have any questions. Interpreter services are available.  

Sincerely,

Kent School District

Parents and families of EL students are invited and encouraged to take part in their children’s educational experience in Kent School District. They will receive information regarding parental involvement opportunities in the same manner as notice is given regarding other Title I programs.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights guidance states that, “Schools must communicate information to limited English proficient parents in a language they can understand about any program, service, or activity that is called to the attention of parents  who are proficient in English.” All Kent School District parents and guardians who feel more comfortable communicating in languages other than English are entitled to interpreter services and/or translated written materials provided by the school at no cost to them. This includes parents whose children are proficient in English. At no time should students act as interpreters for their families within the school setting.

Parents of children selected to participate in any NAEP assessments must be informed before the administration of any assessment that their child may be excused from participation for any reason, is not required to finish any unauthorized assessment, and is not required to answer any test question.

Parents and members of the public must have access to all assessment data, questions, and complete and current assessment instruments of any NAEP assessment except personally identifiable information and questions that may be reused in the future.  School districts must make reasonable efforts to inform parents and the public about their right of access to assessment data. If access is requested in writing, it must be provided within forty-five (45) days of the request and be made available in a secure setting that is convenient to both parties.

Kent School District schools receive both state and federal funds to support student interventions. Federal funds, TITLE I Part A, are allocated to eligible schools to ensure all children are provided significant opportunities to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education and to close educational achievement gaps. All Kent schools receive state LAP (Learning Assistance Program) funds to assist the schools in providing student interventions.

Schools that receive Title I funds must provide each parent information on the achievement level annually on their child’s state academic assessments as soon as practicably possible.

Schools in the Kent School District receiving Title I, Part A funds implement a “Schoolwide” model which is designed to significantly increase achievement levels for all students, especially those with the greatest need of additional support. These schools are able to implement research-based best practices that most closely align with the needs of their students.

In Schoolwide programs, students do not have to be identified to be eligible for services; in these schools, all students benefit from the interventions and services supported through   Title I, Part A funding. Eligible districts/schools supplement the funds they receive through Washington State’s Basic Education Act (BEA) with Title I, Part A dollars. These funds never replace (supplant) BEA dollars.

The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is a state-funded program for students in grades K-12 who score below grade-level standards in English Language Arts (ELS) and Math. LAP funds focus on accelerating students’ growth through a variety of intervention models in ELA, Math, and Behavior.

We intend to resolve disagreements or complaints regarding school-related concerns at the school or district level. However, if you have a complaint against your school district, school service provider, or OSPI, please learn more online.

As part of the, Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015, all districts receiving Title I funds are required to prepare and distribute to parents an annual district report card showing specified information. To meet this requirement, the Washington Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction publishes this information on their website.

At the beginning of each school year, districts receiving Title I funds must notify parents/ guardians when their child has been taught for four consecutive weeks by a teacher who has not met applicable state certification licensure requirements for the grade level and subject area in which the teacher has been assigned. The information listed is consistent with the ESEA language posted on the OSPI website.

Parents of children attending Title I Part A schools have the right to request and receive information about the qualifications of the teacher and paraprofessionals who provide instruction to students.  This information can be obtained through the OSPI Washington State School Report Card or by contacting your school.

Each year, districts receiving Title I funds must provide information on each assessment required by the state and the district. Kent School District assessment schedule can be found here or by contacting the Kent School District Assessment Office at Assessment@kent.k12.wa.us or 253-373-7080 or by contacting your schools.