P.+Transitions

Transitions

Considerations for early exiting from ESL:

Criteria:
 * Performance level of at least "fully meeting" grade level expectations in oral language, reading and writing as measure by the grade level BC Performance Standards;
 * No on-going academic achievement challenges:
 * Completion of 5 years of ELL instruction in BC: and/or
 * Consensus of the School-Based Team.

OR The parents/guardians have provided a written request that the student be exited from the ELL program and it is agreed by the School-Based Team (based on assessment results) that this __will not__ be detrimental to the student's progress. The student is exited and the written request is attached to the student's ELL file.

__NOTE: The student may qualify for ELL services at a later date, if the need arises, up to a total maximum of 5 years in BC.__

Procedure:
 * Consult with the classroom teacher and School-Based Team to:
 * Assess the student's performance samples (at least three samples from each of oral, reading and writing) using the Grade Level BC Performance Standards;
 * Share this information with the parents and explain your concern and the possibility of extra support.

**Transitions to High School** As ELL students transition to high school, it is important to plan the process to best meet their needs. Plan a meeting with the ELL Facilitator of your catchment high school where they can meet you, check and update your database and meet the Grade 7 students who will be moving on. If there are concerns about learning, home life, work habits, or behaviour, make sure to inform the receiving secondary school staff who attend the transition meeting.


 * What courses can students take in Grade 8 if they are in ELL? **

It depends on their level. Some of you may have your feeder school ELL teacher come over and talk to the kids about courses and expectations. Briefly, here are the options:

Level 1 - 3 blocks ELL, Math, PE, 3 electives Level 2 - 3 blocks ELL, Math, PE, Science, 2 electives Level 3 - 2 blocks ELL, Math, PE, Science, Social Studies, 2 electives Level 4 - 1 block ELL, Math, PE, Science, Social Studies, English, 2 electives Level 5 - full regular program with monitored ELL support (some pull-out, some moodle support)

N.B. Be thoughtful and perhaps more conservative on the overall level for your Grade 7's, especially if their reading and/or writing are on the weaker side.

For secondary students who are struggling, the Richmond School District offers two programs:

Special Programs:

LAND PROGRAM at Richmond High: Students who have been in school since September or longer and who are level 1 or 2 and 17-19 years old will be considered for entry into the next school year's program through an interview process. Interviews are held at Richmond High. Contact Cheryl Morgan at 604 668-6400 for information.

CEDAR PROGRAM at Palmer Secondary: For ELL students in Grades 10 and 11 who are struggling, the CEDAR Initiative, Canadian Education and Reintegration Initiative, is intended for students who have been in Canada between one and three years, may be at risk for dropping out of school, and are having difficulty adjusting to life in Canada.

The CEDAR Initiative consists of up to 22 students in Grades 10 and 11 between the ages of 15-17 with an ESL level of 2 or greater. These students will have four blocks of regular classes at Palmer or Richmond Virtual School (also at Palmer). Such classes could include Math, PE, ELL and an elective. The remaining four blocks consist of CEDAR Initiative courses such as career and life skills support, and ESL classes pertaining to Canadian culture and integration.

The goal of the CEDAR Initiative is to re-connect students to their school and community so that they can go on to either graduate or find positive options for themselves outside of the school environment.

For more information, please contact Kiran Dhillon, the CEDAR teacher, via Richnet or at 604 668-6288. The brochure can be obtained from Kiran or the ELL Coordinator.