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Bilingual Program

A circular logo for the Jacksonville ISD Dual Language Program featuring a bridge and stars.

Bilingual/​ESL Program

English Learner Portal

English Learner Portal

 

 

Bilingual/​ESL Program Mission Statement

JISD is committed to addressing the affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs of students who are identified as English Language Learners by providing them with an equal educational opportunity through Bilingual and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs.

The JISD Elementary Bilingual/ESL Programs will emphasize the mastery of English language skills, as well as mathematics, science, and social studies, enabling Emerging Bilingual students to participate effectively and equitably in the teaching/learning process through the state's curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the English Language Standards (ELPS). This will allow students to reach their full potential through equitable experiences, which ensure that they become confident, productive, and competent members of our multicultural society.

State Policy

§89.1205. Required Bilingual Education and English as a Second Language Programs.

(a) Each school district which has an enrollment of 20 or more limited English proficient students in any language classification in the same grade level district-wide shall offer a bilingual education program as described in subsection (b) of this section for the limited English proficient students in prekindergarten through the elementary grades who speak that language. "Elementary grades" shall include at least prekindergarten through Grade 5; sixth grade shall be included when clustered with elementary grades.

(b) A district shall provide a bilingual education program by offering a dual language program in prekindergarten through the elementary grades, as described in §89.1210 of this title (relating to Program Content and Design).

(c) Districts are authorized to establish a bilingual education program at grade levels in which the bilingual education program is not required under subsection (a) of this section.

(d) All limited English proficient students for whom a district is not required to offer a bilingual education program shall be provided an English as a second language program as described in subsection (e) of this section, regardless of the students' grade levels and home language, and regardless of the number of such students.

(e) A district shall provide an English as a second language program by offering an English as a second language program as described in §89.1210 of this title (relating to Program Content and Design).

(f) Districts may join with other districts to provide bilingual education or English as a second language programs.

Dual Language Benefits

An informational flyer on a purple background outlines the benefits of Jacksonville ISD's Dual Language Program.

An informational flyer in Spanish detailing the benefits of the Jacksonville ISD Dual Language Program, organized into academic, cultural, professional, and cognitive sections.

Two-Way Dual Language Program

A circular logo for Fred Douglass Elementary Bilingual Tribe celebrating 25 years with the motto Two Languages, One Tribe.

 

English as a Second Language (ESL)

  • Texas Education Code 29.055 defines the program of instruction "English as a Second Language" as "a program of intensive instruction in English from teachers trained in recognizing and dealing with language differences." The program goal is to enable limited English proficient students to become competent in the comprehension, speaking, reading, and composition of the English language through the integrated use of second language methods.
     

    Instructional Components and Benefits

    The English as a second language (ESL) program addresses the affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs of limited English proficient students.
     

    Elementary ESL
    The elementary ESL program is a self-contained sheltered instructional model, with an ESL-certified teacher.
     

    Secondary ESL
    The secondary ESL program is a content course model with grade-level objectives delivered through modified instruction that makes information comprehensible to students. In grades 7-12, English and reading courses are taught by ESL-certified teachers, while other content courses are taught through sheltered instruction strategies by teachers trained in second language acquisition methods.

  • The student's daily oral face-to-face communication for personal and social purposes is known as Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills, or BICS. It takes two years of exposure to English in order to develop a relatively high degree of English communicative skills.

    The level of English proficiency needed for academic learning (reading and writing) is referred to as Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency, or CALP. CALP takes five to seven years to develop.

    Even though your child is orally fluent in English, he or she may still not be academically prepared to compete in an all-English classroom. Our ESL program carefully structures the development of both oral and academic language in a stress-free environment while considering the student's cultural background.

  • Participants are students in grades PK-12 who are limited English proficient and whose native language is other than English.

  • Students are identified by the Home Language Survey. If the Home Language Survey indicates a home language other than English, students are assessed with an oral language proficiency test. Assessment results determine the program placement of the student based on criteria set by the state.
     

  • The ESL program will continue to be successful with parental and community approval and support. Parental participation enhances the quality of our program and ensures proper implementation. With your participation, this program will continue to succeed.