Ridgeland District 122 currently provides services for approximately 450 English Language Learners. Our English Language Department is made up of highly qualified staff that provides extra support for our students who are bilingual. Currently our ELL program provides two types of services: Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) and a Part-Time Transitional Bilingual Education Program (TBE).
Both programs provide extra support by building background knowledge, building vocabulary, and providing the necessary support to ensure English language development and acquisition through the use and support of our students’ native language. Our goal is to ensure academic success for all our students.
Transitional Program of Instruction (TPI) Program Description
Our TPI program services supports students through ESL instruction to ensure that the students are kept in pace with their grade level peers in achieving academic achievement in the academic content areas. The ELL students are in the general education classroom with native English speaking students. Our district offers two instructional models within the TPI program: pull-out and push-in. In the pull-out model students receive extra support in the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English in the ELL classroom for a brief portion of the day.
The push- in model provides extra support for the ELL student in the general education classroom through the assistance of the TPI teacher. In this model the TPI teacher provides language support as needed by the student in the four domains within the context of the content area being instructed. The TPI program is available for students in grades Kindergarten to 8th grade.
Transitional Bilingual Program (TBE) Program Description
Our TBE program services students who come from households with a second language as indicated in the home language survey and have been identified as a student with limited English proficiency based on the prescribed screening instruments. Our district currently provides a part-time TBE program model in which the students receive instruction in English and in the student’s home language as determined by the students’ needs. Students receive this support during their Lit and LA blocks in the ELL classroom. This program is available for students in grades 1st – 3rd, in most of our elementary schools.
The Newcomer Program Description
The Newcomer Program is a short term program that teaches English and acculturation to U.S. schools, as well academic subjects. The Newcomer Program is for students who are recent immigrants to the United States, with limited to no English proficiency. Students receive instruction at their grade level in the academic subjects required for promotion with a Transitional Bilingual Certified teacher. This program is available for students in grades 6th – 8th.