| English to
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is a state-funded
instructional program for eligible English Learners (ELs)
in grades K-12 (Georgia School Law Code 1981, §
20-2-156, enacted in 1985). The ESOL program is a
standards-based curriculum emphasizing academic and
social language proficiency. ESOL coursework is based
upon the WIDA Consortium English Language Proficiency (ELP)
standards. Classroom teachers integrate these ELD
standards with the Georgia Performance Standards to
enable ELs to both communicate in English and
demonstrate their academic, social, and cultural
proficiency. Instructional approaches, both in ESOL and
general education classes, ensure that the needs of
Georgia’s ELs are accommodated. To the extent
practicable, it is appropriate to use the EL’s home
language as a means of facilitating instruction and
providing parents with school-related information.
Title III is a
federally-funded program that provides eligible Local
Education Agencies with funding to supplement those ESOL
services already in place. School districts with large
EL populations receive direct Title III allocations,
while school districts with lower incidence populations
are grouped into the “Georgia Title III Consortium”. The
Title III Consortium allows these “low-incidence”
districts to access Title III funds typically available
only to districts with greater numbers of ELs. Both ESOL
and Title III hold students accountable for progress in,
and attainment of, English language proficiency. Upon
attainment of English language proficiency, students
exit from supplemental language services. |
