Emergent Bilingual
YES Prep offers robust programming to support students who speak a language other than English – Emergent Bilingual students – with language acquisition & academic success. At the elementary level, YES Prep supports Emergent Bilingual students by providing both high-quality bilingual programming and an English as a Second Language program. You can find out more about our elementary bilingual program by clicking this link: Bilingual Programming at YES Prep.
The goal of the bilingual program at YES Prep is to develop biliteracy. We do this by strengthening students’ home language of Spanish, supporting them in transferring content mastery and developing English language fluency. By the time our SPARKS leave our elementary campuses, they will be able to think, read, write and speak in both Spanish and English in any setting.
The YES Prep bilingual program is designed to:
- Develop full biliteracy in students whose native language is Spanish.
- Introduce, develop and master academic competency in the English language gradually across grade levels.
- Maintain and develop skills in the Spanish language and culture while introducing, maintaining and developing skills in English and developing competency in both languages.
- Prepare students for the sixth-grade English only program with English as a Second Language (ESL) supports in preparation for college-ready success.
English-as-a-Second Language (ESL)
YES Prep also provides an English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) that focuses on developing English as a second language and using English as a medium to learn mathematics, science, social studies, and other academic subjects. The ESL program is different from the Bilingual program in that all instruction is in English for students in the ESL program with additional supports provided by the classroom teacher. The ESL program is offered alongside the bilingual program at our elementary campuses, and is the primary language support program at our secondary campuses.
Ensuring Academic Progress
All Emergent Bilingual students will be monitored to ensure academic progress by the campus Language Proficiency Assessment Committee. This committee is responsible for coordinating additional services and supports needed for the student to meet their Bilingual or English as a Second Language program goals. Every year, Emergent Bilingual students take the state-required TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) exam to monitor their level of language proficiency and progress. Students who are Beginning or Intermediate Language Learners per the TELPAS assessment will be given additional accommodations and modifications in the classroom .
Designated support staff
Every campus has a designated staff member responsible for coordinating support of Emergent Bilingual students on the campus. At elementary campuses, the Assistant Principal is the designated contact regarding questions about services for Emergent Bilingual students and the bilingual and ESL program on that campus. At secondary campuses, the Literacy Specialist is the designated contact.
Should the student's family or school staff suspect a need for specially designed instruction through special education services, they can refer the student for a special education evaluation at any time.