PROGRAM GOALS

• To provide services to English Language Learners (ELL) which will enable them to become proficient enough in English to function successfully and participate fully in the regular instructional program.
• To provide support services to assist English Language Learners (ELL) in becoming a part of the cultural environment of the school and community. 
• To provide opportunities for English Language Learners (ELL) to share their culture with the school and community. 
• To provide families of English Language Learners(ELL) the opportunity to become an integral part of the Floyd County Schools community.

The Floyd County Schools will abide by the guiding principles outlined by the Georgia Department of Education and the Center for Equity and Excellence regarding English Language Learners. 

The six principles are as follows:

• English language learners must be held to the same high expectations of learning established for all students.
• English language learners must develop full receptive and productive proficiencies in English in the domains of listening, speaking, reading and writing, consistent with expectations of all students.
• English language learners are taught challenging content to enable them to meet performance standards in all content areas, including reading and language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, the fine arts, health and physical education, consistent with those for all students.
• English language learners receive instruction that builds on their previous education and cognitive abilities and that reflects their language proficiency levels.
• English language learners are evaluated with appropriate and valid assessments that are aligned with state and local standards that take into account the language acquisition stages and cultural backgrounds of the students.
• The academic success of English language learners is a responsibility shared by all educators, the family and the community.

Promoting Excellence:  Ensuring Academic Success for Limited English Proficient Students, page 11, by the Center for Equity and Excellence in Education, 1996 and 2000, by George Washington University).