English Learners

Instructional services for English Learners in Sycamore Community Schools are based on researched best practices that provide students with the greatest accessibility to the curriculum possible. The student attends regular classes in the content areas in addition to his/her English language development program.  The content area teacher will scaffold the curriculum to meet the needs of individuals at varying levels of English proficiency in collaboration with the ESOL teacher.  .

STEP 1: Language Usage Survey

The state of Ohio requires that all Sycamore families complete a Language Usage Survey about languages spoken at home when they register a student for school. If a student has a language other than English on the Language Usage Survey, we are required, by law, to assess the student’s language proficiency. Learn more about the Language Usage Survey.

STEP 2: Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS)

The second step is to take the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS). The assessment determines if the student is fully proficient, progressing, or emerging in language acquisition. If the student is not fully English proficient, they are considered to be an English Learner by the state and are eligible for ESOL services.  Parents are then notified of these results and offered a language instruction educational program that will meet their student's needs.

• OELPS is an in-person test on the computer.

• The building's ESOL teacher will give the test to your student(s).

• The test takes about 30-60 minutes.

• It will show a student’s current level of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English.

• We will share results and recommendations for support (as needed) with you within the first 30 days of enrollment.

Click here for more information from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce.

Students’ English development growth is measured annually through the Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA). This testing is mandated by the state of Ohio and is required for all English Learners each year. Annual OELPA results are used in conjunction with other student growth data to determine the most appropriate English supports for the student and are adjusted throughout the year based on the ongoing data collection around speaking, listening, reading, and writing English proficiency levels. 

Every student who qualifies for ESOL services in grades K-12 will have an English Language Plan. The purpose of this plan is to collaboratively determine and document individualized instructional supports/accommodations for English Learners and to help ensure consistency in the application of those supports. This plan is to promote English for communication, academic purposes, and social/cultural support. Included in this plan is a place to accept or decline the services being recommended for your student. ESOL services can be amended, accepted, or declined at any time. Please contact your student’s ESOL teacher with questions.

State and federal law requires an annual assessment of ESOL students’ English language proficiency. THe state of Ohio requires the OELPS to be administered each year.

Students are assessed in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students are given a score in each area, as well as a total proficiency score. The scores are used to determine whether or not students are making adequate progress in English language acquisition. They are also used to make service decisions for our EL students.

Once a student attains the highest score of three (fully English proficient), the student is exited from the ESOL program.

Students in the ESOL program who receive standard letter grades (grades 3-12) may be eligible for pass/fail grades. This will be indicated and explained in each student’s English Language Plan and is typically available for the first two years a student is learning English in U.S. schools. This may be adjusted at any time via a team meeting or parent request. Once students meet the state of Ohio’s criteria to exit the ESOL program, or if the ESOL services are declined by a parent/guardian, the student will receive regular classroom grades.