Woodland School District’s Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) is designed to support the academic achievement of our students with English as a Second Language, also known as English Language Learners (ELLs). During the 2018-19 school year our TBIP Coordinator, Maribel Ramirez, began the work of organizing ELL student records. Maribel worked specifically with our District Registrar, Jody Brentin, and our District Assessment Coordinator, Sarah Hadaller. For the 2019-20 school year we will continue to organize all of our ELL student records and assessment data as well as coordinate/facilitate professional development and instructional materials for students in the ELL program.
We use TBIP funds for staffing and technology for ELLs. We also follow state guidelines about providing instruction and assessing students in their English Language Proficiency. Woodland is fortunate to have 3 ELL endorsed teachers and 7 ELL Instructional Assistants working with our students.
Woodland “New Comer” Program
The Woodland Newcomer Program is within our English Language Learner Program at Columbia Elementary, North Fork Elementary, Woodland Middle School and Woodland High School. The Newcomer Program provides specialized instruction to beginning level English Language Learners who have newly immigrated to the United States. We estimate 20 students to be served in our Newcomer Program in 2019-20.
We anticipate 20 students who will be emerging based on the ELPA21. These students will be receiving a foundation of both basic English language skills and content-based instruction.
The criteria used to determine when students move from the Newcomer Program to another TBIP program model in the district is based on their language acquisition as measured by state assessment of English Language Proficiency, the ELPA21. The Newcomer Program length is typically one year, but may be more or less time depending on individual student needs.
ELL in Woodland Schools
We currently estimate 200 students designated as “English Language Learners” in Woodland School District for 2019-20 -- 100 in K-4 Elementary Schools, 70 in Woodland Middle School and 30 in Woodland High School. Our ELL students are served in the general education setting for all core content areas. While in the general education setting, ELL students will receive extra support from staff in the content area instruction, focusing on content specific academic language aligned within the common core standards. In addition to supporting students in the core academic classroom, ELL students are enrolled in ELL intervention class to extend their learning. ELL staff also provide small table group reading instruction in the context of language acquisition instruction. Our focus is equipping students to speak in front of peers, use vocabulary and comprehension, and answer high level questions.
In grades K-4, the ELL staff provides general education teachers with supplemental materials in order to make learning more comprehensible to the students. The ELL staff and Instructional Coach go into classrooms and give feedback on how they can use specific ELL strategies to improve students’ language and knowledge of the content area. The ELL teacher goes into classrooms and gives feedback on how staff can use ELL strategies to improve students' language and knowledge of the content area. The ELL coordinator meets with general education teachers during their PLC time to discuss how to make the learning more comprehensible to the ELL students. ELL staff work
one on one or in small groups with students using the action areas tool, a part of the program that enables teachers or ELL para educators to identify and work with students who need more support with a specific skill. We provide pull-out, push-in, and supportive mainstream services.
At Woodland Middle School the ELL staff pushes-in during core instruction 5 days a week in order to make the material more accessible to the students. ELL staff works one on one or with a small group in their core classroom during this time, our push-in model makes sure the student isn't missing core instruction from the classroom teacher. ELL teachers work closely with core teachers to ensure ELL students access their lessons based on their language proficiency level and needs.
During WMS ELL classes, students emerging or progressing based on ELPA21 receive services in the most needed academic area. Students are grouped based on ELPA21 scores and provided differentiated instruction in a small group setting. The ELL staff uses I-Lit, REWARDS, Phonics For Reading, and I-Ready instruction, modified with effective language instruction, to meet the needs of all ELL students.
At Woodland High School, ELL students are scheduled into a language development class with provided content area instruction in English focusing on content specific academic language following the Common Core standards. WHS ELL students also receive one class period to support all additional content area courses. WHS staff work to place students with teachers who are specially trained for ELL (SIOP Training) or have had experience successfully working with ELL students to ensure content acquisition. The content teachers and ELL teacher confer in developing appropriate accommodations and supplemental materials.
WHS ELL students are linked with an advisory teacher when they enter as a 9th grade student and are connected with this teacher throughout their 4 years of high school experience. This connection ensures greater oversight of a student's performance and the ability for the system to response for the at risk ELLs to be helped prior to them getting into credit issues. Students are counseled for college-and career ready through the Career Center located at the High School. Each student has the following opportunities presented to them during their high school experience to ensure high school college-and-career-ready:
Woodland TBIP is continuing the staffing to facilitate family liaison between the district and ELL families. This position, held by Maribel Ramirez, helps families and students navigate credit pathways through Running Start, Cascadia Tech Academy, and WHS courses so that students are set up for post-secondary endeavors. Also, Maribel works closely with WHS counselors to help find alternatives for state assessment and graduation criteria and helps facilitate K-4, WMS, and WHS staff to collaborate about ELL student needs and transitions.
Throughout the district, a majority of teachers have received SIOP training. The ELL department works closely with staff members to further support all ELL students. Students are placed in classrooms with teachers that are SIOP trained. Students who do not meet the state assessment standards in Math and/or ELA will be doubled-up into their content area of need in general education. ELL Instructional Assistants will be pushed in to support ELL students in general education classes. The ELL staff works closely with all regular teachers to make sure all accommodations are being met for courses and state/district assessments.
Thank you for your consideration to review and approve the Woodland Transitional Bilingual Intervention Program.
TBIP Program Presentation