The mission of the Atlantis Charter School English Language Learner (ELL) program is to provide scaffolded English language instruction, primarily in English, to English learners in order for students to achieve oral and literacy proficiency in English and thus access and succeed within the general content curriculum. The vision of the program is to validate and build upon students’ home languages and cultures, so that students may add English language proficiency to their diverse repertoire of social and linguistic skills.
We achieve this mission and vision by:
• Respecting parent/guardian preferences regarding their preferred language use with teachers and with their students
• Recognizing the importance of a student’s home language and the various roles home languages may play within a single student’s life and among a group of diverse students
• Holding ELL students to high standards and implementing appropriate scaffolds and strategies to enable students to access grade level curriculum
• Collaborating with each other and with parents and families to meet the diverse needs of each student and offer enrichment opportunities for each student’s strengths
Students qualify for ELL services through a state mandated screening process, and as of the 2018-2019 school year, 10.5% of students were receiving ELL services. English Language Instruction at Atlantis is provided through the SEI model, which is defined in G.L. c.71A as “an English language acquisition process for young children in which nearly all classroom instruction is in English but with the curriculum and presentation designed for children who are learning the language. Books and instruction materials are in English and all reading, writing, and subject matter are taught in English. Although teachers may use a minimal amount of the child’s native language when necessary, no subject matter shall be taught in any language other than English, and children in this program learn to read and write solely in English.”
Content-licensed educators and ELL educators work in partnership to provide English language development both in content classes by sheltering academic instruction to ensure students are learning grade level curriculum and discipline-specific academic language and in ELL/ESL classes through targeted English language instruction to develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills in English.
We believe that a strong partnership between parents/guardians, students, and staff is critical to the success of the ACS English Language Education program. This is accomplished through consistent two-way communication led by staff, administration, the English Learner Parent Advisory Council (ELPAC), and the Family and Community Resource Center (FCRC). For information on ELPAC meetings, please contact Donalda Silva.
2024 Announcements
During the week of October 21st, 2024, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of (insert district/charter school). The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.
In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.
Parents and other individuals may call, David Valade, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (413) 313-6711 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.
Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the (district or charter school) with a report with information about areas in which the (district or charter school) meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the (district or charter school) requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.
