To: Michael Green
Re: April 2011 Monthly Special Services Report
From: Deb Kernen
Re: ELL Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) results
During the month of February our ELL program students were administered the Washington Language Proficiency Test (WLPT-II). This test is used to determine English language levels and student eligibility for English language services. Currently, this is the only assessment of reading, writing, speaking, and listening knowledge and skills used in Washington State for English language proficiency for English language learners (ELLs).
I've got good news to report from the ELL Department!! We recently received a report from OSPI Migrant/Bilingual Department with results from ELL data that they have been collecting since 2003-2004 school year. Title I and Title III of the "No Child Left Behind" Act, include English Language Learners (ELL) in the state accountability system and require states to set performance targets referred to as Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAOs) for English language proficiency and "exit" from program rates of ELL students. Under section 3122(a) (3), Achievement Objectives and Accountability, the AMAO's for English language proficiency must include:
AMAO-1: Annual increases in the number or percentage of children making progress in learning English.
AMAO-2: Annual increases in the number or percentage of children attaining English proficiency.
AMAO-3: The number or percentage of students meeting AYP targets in the reading and math ELL cell.
English Language Proficiency Performance Targets/Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives
AMAO 1 - Percent of students making progress learning English in the Transitional Bilingual Instruction Program (TBIP).
Unit of Analysis/Cohort for AMAO #1: Students enrolled in Grades 1 - 12 bilingual programs for two successive years
AMAO 2 - Percent of students transitioning from bilingual programs
Unit of Analysis/Cohort for AMAO #2: Students in Grades K - 12 that "Exit" bilingual programs within "specified" number of years. Number of years is established by the level score on the language proficiency placement assessment.
§ Beginning Level of Oral language English Proficiency - 5 years
§ Intermediate Level of Oral language English Proficiency - 3 years
§ Advanced Level of Oral language English Proficiency - 2 years
AMAO 3 - Percent of students meeting the state reading and math standards in the AYP limited English cell.
As you can see from the spreadsheet attached we met the requirement in all 3 areas. This is a great accomplishment for our district and reflects the huge efforts all our staff, especially the ELL staff. We have met one of Indicators of Success in Section II of our School/Program Improvement Plan.
Another note I wanted you to know is that our numbers of ELL students has increased from 104 students in September to 127 students in March. We have added some additional staff time at WIS to help serve our growing numbers. We're also just starting an ELL homework club that will run after school 2 days a week for students in the program that'll be implemented by Jodi McLendon. Good stuff!!!!!