English Language Learners (ELL) and English as a Second Language (ESL)

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Genesee ISD was developed in 1993 – through a collaboration with the University of Michigan/Flint’s Bilingual Education Program – to assist schools in Genesee County in providing a more comprehensive education to language minority students. In 1997, Genesee ISD continued the ESL Program after the Bilingual Education Program at UM-Flint was discontinued. Our ESL program provides English language instruction to students who are English Language Learners (ELLs) and instructional support to school district and building staff. 

The ESL Program is funded, in part, by a federal grant - Title III of No Child Left Behind. Title III provides financial assistance for tutorial services when used for students who have limited English proficiency. The grant also provides assistance for instructional resources, teacher training, tutor screening and training, and assessment services.

Learning English is a difficult process. Students usually acquire BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) within 2 years. BICS are the language skills necessary to communicate in everyday, basic situations. However, competing in the classroom requires full command of academic language - CALP (Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency). CALP takes 5-7 years to develop. Both language skills are part of the ESL Program Progression and necessary to be successful in mainstream school environment. Thus, students should receive support until he/she shows fluent abilities on the state assessment ELPA (English Language Proficiency Assessment) and grade-level proficiency on the MEAP, or until performance is not due to a lack of English fluency.

Available services include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Professional development workshops for teachers, administrators, and other school personnel
• Support for all building/district staff concerning general ELL information and guidelines
• District ESL program design, development, and evaluation
• Funding assistance
• Facilitation with OCR and NCLB compliance
• English language proficiency assessments - ELPA training and administration, LAS Assessment administration -  and reporting assistance in meeting requirements for Title III funding
• Tutor screening, training, and placement with students
• Specific materials as requested for background information on the student’s native country such as culture and language
• Assistance in evaluating ELL Special Education students
• Serve the classroom teacher, counselor, or administrator with tools and services for creating language development plans for students
• Provide information and/or contacts for oral language translation and written translated forms (see Forms and Documents)

Additional Resources

• ELP Standards and Benchmarks
• ELL/ESL Forms and Documents
• Online Resources

For questions about the English as a Second Language Program, please contact:

Sara Rainwater, ESL Coordinator
Phone: (810) 591-4443
Email: srainwat@geneseeisd.org

Lisa Hook, Project Coordinator
Phone: (810) 591-4876
Email: lhook@geneseeisd.org