The English Learner (EL) program in MSD Warren Township Schools serves students whose first language is other than English. There are over 30 different languages represented among our K-12 student body. The district is committed to the academic and social growth of ELs while also respecting and honoring the language and rich culture the students and their families bring.

The EL staff members in each building use a combination of push-in and pull-out services to support the students’ needs and engage students in all domains of language acquisition (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) through individualized accommodations and specialized instruction according to their Individual Learning Plans (ILPs). All teachers supporting ELs in the district use the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) standards in combination with the Indiana Academic Standards to ensure the language and content needs of the students are met.

Potential English Learners are identified through the Home Language Survey upon enrollment. If a language other than English is listed, students new to school or new to Indiana will be administered the WIDA Screener. These are placement assessments to determine if a student qualifies to receive support from the English Learner Program.

English Learner progress is assessed annually using one of two (2) WIDA assessments.

• ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State for English Language Learners) is a secure large-scale English language proficiency assessment given to Kindergarten through 12th graders who have been identified as English Language Learners (ELLs).

• Alternate ACCESS for ELLs is an assessment of English language proficiency (ELP) for students in grades 1 -12 who are classified as English language learners (ELLs) and have significant cognitive disabilities that prevent their meaningful participation in the ACCESS for ELLs assessment. Federal law requires that all students identified as ELLs be assessed annually for English language proficiency, including students who receive special education services. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA; 2004) also mandates that students with disabilities participate in statewide and district-wide assessment programs, including alternate assessments with appropriate accommodations, when it is documented in their Individualized Education Programs (IEP). For this reason, WIDA created the Alternate ACCESS for ELLs to meet federal accountability requirements and to provide educators with a measure sensitive to English language proficiency growth of ELLs with significant cognitive disabilities.

For more information about the WIDA standards and/or assessments, please visit: www.wida.us. 

• To teach language and academic content simultaneously to maximize student achievement.

• To provide opportunities for collaboration with all staff on the best practices in supporting EL students.

• To work collaboratively with school staff and student families to foster home/school partnerships.