English Learner Program (EL)

The North Kitsap School District English Learning (EL) Program aims to develop the English language proficiency of eligible English Learners (ELs) to become socially and academically successful in North Kitsap Schools.

WHAT IS THE ENGLISH LEARNER (EL) PROGRAM?

The EL Program is a federally funded program for students whose first language is a language other than English. About 5% of the NKSD student population qualify for EL services. About 71% of our EL population speaks Spanish as their first language; other languages spoken by our students are Tagalog (and other Filipino dialects), Vietnamese, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Armenian, Chinese, French, Italian, Polish, Albanian, Bulgarian, Farsi, Norwegian, Russian, Indonesian, Tongan, Thai, and Twi. We strive to promote respect and appreciation for diverse languages and cultures.

A student new to this country with no English language skills and a strong academic background is expected to take 3 to 7 years to learn the language and be at grade level. Students starting in kindergarten make greater language gains than students enrolled in 5th grade or higher. This is partially due to the increased demand for academic skills and language. Even when a student seems to have age-appropriate oral language skills, he/she can still be two or more grade levels behind in reading, writing, and other subjects because those skills take longer to learn.

Who is eligible for EL Services?

Students registering with North Kitsap School District who indicates that their first learned language is a language other than English are given the WIDA screener to determine eligibility for the EL program. This placement test must be given within ten days of the student’s entry into the school district.

Eligibility for English language development (ELD) services is determined by a student's domain scores and overall score on the WIDA Screener assessment each student takes. Students must meet the minimum score in all four domains and the overall composite score to be determined ineligible for services. If a student would qualify for a domain exemption and meets all other criteria for being ineligible for services, please contact OSPI for guidance.

Grade Level	Minimum Domain Score	Minimum Composite Score
Kindergarten (through December 31)	5 (listening and speaking)	5 (oral language)
Kindergarten (beginning January 1) and Grade 1	4 (all domains)	4.5 (overall)
Grades 2 through 12	4 (all domains)	5 (overall)

*Under federal guidelines, parents must be informed of student placement in a language program within 30 days of placement.

EL Instructional Models

Additional EL Resources and Information

Translation and Interpretation Services

North Kitsap School District honors and values the participation of parents/ guardians who are speakers of diverse languages in the education of their children. Therefore, we are committed to supporting families with translation and interpretation services. To request interpretation (in-person or via phone) or translation please contact the EL Coordinator for your school:

Joaly Ray		Hortensia West
Program Coordinator		Program Coordinator
(360) 396-3095		(360) 396-3096
Locations: NKSD South - Poulsbo Elementary, Pearson Elementary, Vinland Elementary, Poulsbo Middle School, and North Kitsap High School		Locations: NKSD North - Suquamish Elementary, Wolfle Elementary, Gordon Elementary, Kingston Middle School, Kingston High School

The State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP)

The State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP) is the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) branch that provides funding through grants that help support the district’s EL program.

TBIP, with the involvement of parents, educators, and the community, is committed to addressing the unique needs of students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds and helping them achieve the high content and performance standards expected of all students in Washington State. The program helps students receiving EL services to become proficient in English and to meet state learning standards.

For more information on TBIP or other services, student rights, and resources, please see the links below:

Learn more about TBIP: Learn More About TBIP webpage

Immigrant Students' Rights to Attend Public Schools and Know Your Rights (in 17 languages), A Guide for Public School Students in Washington: OSPI - Equity and Civil Rights

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces various federal statutes prohibiting discrimination by recipients of federal education funds. The OCR encourages voluntary compliance with civil rights laws by providing policy guidance, staff training, and technical assistance.

U.S. Department of Education Resources in Other Languages

How to file a complaint about Discrimination in a Washington Public School:

OSPI - How to File a Complaint

EL Staff Contact Information

Gwen Lyon		Valerie Anderson
Executive Director of Teaching & Learning		Assistant Director of State & Federal Funding
(360) 396-3021		(360) 396-3017

Joaly Ray		Hortensia West
Program Coordinator		Program Coordinator
(360) 396-3095		(360) 396-3096
Locations: NKSD South - Poulsbo Elementary, Pearson Elementary, Vinland Elementary, Poulsbo Middle School, and North Kitsap High School		Locations: NKSD North - Suquamish Elementary, Wolfle Elementary, Gordon Elementary, Kingston Middle School, Kingston High School

Alexis Walgren
Secretary

(360) 396-3561