English as a Second Language (ESL)
English Learner (EL) Students Enrolled in the Mt. Healthy City School District - Welcome to Parents and Families and Description of Rights
The Mt. Healthy City School District extends a warm “Welcome” to all parents and families of enrolled English Language Learner (EL) students. EL students and are those whose native language or home language is other than English. EL students’ limitation is the ability to understand, speak, read or write in English, thereby inhibiting their effective participation in the school’s educational program.
The information on this webpage is provided as a summary of the Mt. Healthy City School District’s EL Program, and to explain the rights of parent of enrolled EL students. We encourage you to reach out for additional information.
Mt. Healthy EL Program Contact Information
Ms. Cori Stevens, Coordinator Student Services
Mt. Healthy City School District
7615 Harrison Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45231
(513) 619-1720
Brief Description Mt. Healthy EL Program
The purpose of the EL Program in Mt. Healthy City Schools is to help EL students overcome their linguistic, cultural, and academic difficulties (if any) and to ensure that each receives an educational opportunity equal to that provided to peers. This is accomplished by regular collaboration between mainstream, general educations teachers and the EL Program teachers (and tutor). Program elements include EL identification, enrollment, services delivery, monitoring, parent outreach and communication, and exiting of students. The EL Program teachers and general education personnel strive to continuously learn to improve teaching and learning, through participation in staff professional development opportunities. Parent communication and involvement is foundational to student success, and is encouraged and welcomed.
The English as a Second Language (ESL) program services over 120 students who speak 14 different languages. Mt Healthy offers a variety of instructional services to ESL students. Students are given English Language Development and supports to be successful in their grade level academic classes. Students' success is supported through pull out classes, inclusion in regular classrooms, and individual tutoring. Students are initially screened using the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS). English language proficiency is assessed annually by Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
Mt. Healthy EL Program Philosophy
Our goal at Mt. Healthy City Schools is to prepare multilingual students for the rigors of a Mt. Healthy education by ensuring that they develop the language skills necessary to be successful in any classroom. The English as a Second Language (ESL) program services over 100 students who speak 13 different languages. MTHCS offers a variety of instructional services to ESL students. Students are given English Language Development and supports to be successful in their grade level academic classes. Students' success is supported through pull out classes, inclusion in regular classrooms, and individual tutoring. Students are initially screened using the Ohio English Language Proficiency Screener (OELPS). English language proficiency is assessed annually by Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA).
1) To attain English language proficiency;
2) To use English in their academic achievement in all content areas; and
3) To use English to fully participate effectively in U.S. society.
The overarching goal for EL services is for students to qualify for exiting the EL program.
Summary of EL Parent Rights
Parents of English Language Learners have the right to:
- Know of their child’s identification as an EL student
- Have their child participate in the EL Program and have meaningful access to all educational opportunities including extra-curricular and to not be denied access because of language or cultural background
- “Opt out” of the EL Program (decline services)
- Participate in developing and giving feedback about the EL Program
- Participate in the EL Program annual evaluation
- Be involved in meaningful ways in their child’s education to:
- Assist their children to learn English;
- Achieve at high levels; and
- Meet State’s challenging academic content and achievement standards
- Receive communication in a uniform format and in language understood, to the extent feasible, and to request interpreters and translation services
- Please refer to the website “Parent Portal” for additional information describing the rights of all parents of children enrolled in schools operating as Title I School-wide buildings (all Mt. Healthy City School District schools).