English Learners (EL)

Mission

Ames Community School District strives to prepare English Learners who are socially and academically confident, bicultural, and multilingual through welcoming and engaging students and their families in the educational process.

Goals

There are two main goal areas for our Language Instruction Educational Program (LIEP): language and academic. English language proficiency LIEP Goal: The average time for an EL to exit the EL program will be less than four years.

Increase the percentage of ELs making growth on at least one subtest of the annual English language proficiency assessment.
Decrease the number of Long-Term English Learners (LTELs – defined as more than four full academic years in the Ames EL program).

Academic Goal: Decrease the percentage of non-proficient ELs in reading and math on the statewide assessment.

Educational Approach

Elementary

Ames Elementary English Language Learners may experience one of or a combination of the following models:

Pull-out

Students spend most of the school day in a regular classroom, but are pulled out for a portion of each day to receive instruction in English as a second language.

Push-in

Students may remain in the regular classroom and receive English language support from the classroom teacher or the EL teacher.

Middle School

English Language Learners are assigned to EL classes for one or two periods, in addition to an EL study hall. EL classes are typically divided according to English proficiency, as well as grade level. Classes are focused on English language development and an introduction to American culture using a variety of strategies. Class time may also be used to support English Language Learners with their content area coursework.

High School

Sheltered classes are available for English Language Learners to receive required high school credit in US History, World Studies, Algebra and English. EL Reading is offered as an individualized class based on the English Language Learner’s level of English proficiency. EL Beginner and EL Intermediate levels help develop the foundational skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Important Links

English Language Learners Instructional Highlights

Ames English Language Program

English Language Proficiency for the 21st Century (English version)

English Language Proficiency for the 21st Century (Spanish version)

EL Frequently Asked Questions

Ames Lau Plan for ESL Services 2019

Colorin Colorado for Families

ACSD EL Blog

Program Contacts

Edwards Elementary	Jill Gale
Fellows Elementary	Nick Hughes Jane Wilson
Meeker Elementary	Alicia Ewalt
Mitchell Elementary	Erin Haverkamp
Sawyer Elementary	Sadrac Alemán
Ames Middle School	Amanda Wright Ellie Caldwell
Ames High School	Kris Krajnovich Ellie Caldwell
EL Coordinator	Shaeley Santiago

Follow @AmesESL

Shaeley Santiago

English Learner Coordinator

Ames Community School
District Office
2005 24th St.
Ames, IA 50010

515-268-6628
Fax: 515-268-6633