1.
How can classroom teacher be expected to get ESL-certified in a six week summer
course, when ESL teachers have a much longer and more intense training period?
Deb’s
Response: The classroom teachers will not be expected to get ESL certification
in a six week summer course. Teachers will have the opportunity to participate
in extensive in-service during the school year if they so choose.
2.
How will classroom teachers be able to instruct non-English speaking
students?
Won’t these students fall behind without one on one instruction in their
own language?
Deb’s
Response: ESL teachers do NOT speak students’ native language. That is
why it is ESL and not bilingual. Classroom teachers already do more than 91% of
the ESL Students’ instruction currently. Most teachers and I believe that
the classroom instruction is what has the greatest influence on a child’s
academic success. A lot of research supports our beliefs.
3.
What will happen if this goes through and then kids go on to Randall and middle
school – they’ll be pulled out then, so why confuse them when
they’re so young and vulnerable?
Deb’s
response: Pulling kids out of the classroom at an early age is confusing to
them. They do not necessarily understand when and why they are leaving for
services. As children develop, they have different needs and when they are
older, programming should and does look differently. E.g., 5th grade
doesn’t look like kindergarten nor does West High school look like Franklin.