- Ashland Public Schools
- LOOK - Language Opportunities for Our Kids
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LOOK - Language Opportunities for Our Kids
English Learner Education (ELE) Proposed Regulations and the LOOK Act / Parent OutreachWhat is the LOOK Act?
- The Language Opportunities for Our Kids Act is designed to improve the education of English learners (ELs) and other students.
Proposed LOOK Act Regulations
- English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (603 CMR 14.09)
- English Learner Programs (603 CMR 14.04)
- Bilingual Education Endorsement (603 CMR 7.14 and 7.15)
- State Seal of Biliteracy (603 CMR 31.07)
1. English Learner Parent Advisory Councils (ELPAC)
- Districts that require an EL Parent Advisory Council are those with 100 or more English learners or where English learners comprise 5% of the student body.
- Schools that require an EL Parent Advisory Council are those that have ELE programs and are underperforming or chronically underperforming.
- The council shall receive assistance from the ELE Director or other appropriate school personnel as designated by the Superintendent.
- ELPAC duties include but are not limited to:
- Create by-laws (rules) regarding officers and operational procedures,
- Advise the school district, school committee, and board of trustees on matters related to English learners,
- Meet regularly with school or district leaders to participate in the planning and development of programs to improve educational opportunities for English learners o Advise the district on any new ELE programs before they are submitted for approval o Participate in the review of district and school improvement plans as they relate to English learners, and
- Meet at least annually with the school committee or school council.
- Create by-laws (rules) regarding officers and operational procedures,
2. English Learner Programs: Proposed Regulations
- Proposed regulations establish the process that districts and the Department would use when a district applies to offer a new Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) program OR an alternative English learner education program.
- Proposed regulations also specify the process a district would follow when a parent/guardian requests to enroll or transfer an English learner into an English learner education program offered by the district.
Review Process for New ELE Programs Requirements: LOOK Act
- Districts that wish to operate a new SEI or alternative ELE program must submit information required to the Department.
- The Department has 90 days to review the information submitted and notify the district in writing whether the program fails to meet federal and state law requirements.
- There are two possible outcomes based on the Department’s review:
- The district can begin the proposed program.
- If required, the district will have 30 days to submit a revised proposal incorporating the feedback to bring the program into compliance.
- The Department will then review the revised proposal and determine whether the district can start implementing the program.
Parental Requests for an ELE Program
- A parent can request to enroll or transfer their student into another ELE program in the district. This is ultimately the Superintendent’s decision.
- Parents of 20 or more students may request the implementation of a new ELE district program. This is ultimately the Superintendent’s decision.
- Districts must respond within 90 days after receiving the request and provide:
- a plan for implementation of the requested program; or
- a denial of the request, in writing, including an explanation of the denial.
3. Bilingual Education Endorsement; Proposed Regulations
- Proposed regulations clarify the requirements to earn a Bilingual Education endorsement.
- Proposed regulations specify which educators will need the SEI or Bilingual Education endorsements.
- Proposed regulations allow the Commissioner to issue a one-year waiver of the Bilingual Education Endorsement requirements under certain circumstances.
4. State Seal of Biliteracy: Proposed Regulations
Proposed regulations describe the process and criteria for earning the State Seal of Biliteracy.
Seal of Biliteracy Proposed Criteria
- Meets all graduation requirements.
- Demonstrates a high level of proficiency in English as measured by MCAS.
- Demonstrates a high level of proficiency in a foreign language by attaining a minimum score on a nationally recognized and readily available assessment or an alternative evidence method established by the Department.
- The Language Opportunities for Our Kids Act is designed to improve the education of English learners (ELs) and other students.