What is English as a Second Language?
The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is an intensive English language instruction by teachers who are trained in recognizing and working with language differences. The program provides intensive instruction in listening, speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending the English language. It also uses strategies and methodologies appropriate for second language acquisition.

What is an ESL program?
The purpose of the ESL Program is to help students improve their English skills in the domains. Services are offered for students who are non-English speaking or limited-English-proficient (LEP) so they can fully participate in and contribute to the regular classroom and total school program and be successful in all academic subjects.

Who should be enrolled in an ESL program, and how do they qualify?
Students in Pre-Kindergarten through high school who speak or hear a language other than English as identified on the Home Language Survey should be enrolled in the ESL Program. Once a student has been identified, several tests are administered by the ESL teacher to measure the student's ability to listen, speak, read, and write in English. There is a window of twenty days to complete testing and to qualify students who are eligible. Parent permission is required in order for students to receive services and to participate in an ESL program. Parents have the right to deny services; however, the student is still required to complete all state assessments required for LEP students. Students are not required to participate in this program.

What types of services/instruction will students receive in an ESL program?
The type of services each student will receive depends on different factors. The grade level, the English proficiency of the student, and the educational history of the student will be considered. Students who are recent immigrants and those with the greatest need for help with English will receive the most services.

The student may have a scheduled ESL class everyday. They may be pulled out of their regular classroom, provided inclusion, or both. In every case, the ESL teacher will be in contact with the student's content area teacher to make sure the student receives as much support as possible.

In addition to these services, a student will also receive special accommodations on assignments and tests. The content area teacher will receive information and accommodations for each LEP student. A state-adopted curriculum is utilized in the ESL classroom to help students learn through proven methods and strategies. All students in ESL must receive instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) in English.

Students who do not participate in an ESL program due to a parent denial are still identified and coded as LEP. They will be monitored and required to participate in all state assessments.

What documentation is required for ESL students?
Teachers should document or code their ESL students and their accommodations in their lesson plans. Teachers will also assign grades for LEP students in their class. ESL teachers do not assign grades; however, teachers should consult the ESL teacher if a student is in jeopardy of receiving a grade below a 70.

What are the state mandated assessments for students in an ESL program?
All students identified as LEP will participate in the state required assessments. These assessments are given in the spring semester of the school year. They are Reading Proficiency Test in English (RPTE), the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS), and the Linguistically Accommodated Testing (LAT).

The RPTE is taken by students in grades 2-12.

The TELPAS rates students in grades K-12 in the domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This is done in collaboration with content area teachers. The students are rated according to the proficiency level descriptors which are beginning, intermediate, advanced, and advanced high. TOP is a section of the TELPAS that requires a collection of writing samples for students in grades 2-12.

The LAT tests students in grades 3-8 and grade 10. This is a math assessment for students who are exempt from the TAKS.

In addition to the state assessments, Lubbock-Cooper also administers an end of year assessment.

Who to contact
We feel communication with parents and teachers is a very important part of a student's success in school. The ESL staff will make every effort to assist with translation and communication. Please contact the following individuals if you have questions regarding the Lubbock-Cooper High School's ESL Program:

Patty Ochoa, ESL Program Coordinator
863-2600 x 1241

Sylvia Perez, High School ESL Teacher
863-3160 x 5202