Once Upon a Time in Texas, My (English-Speaking) Niece Hoped to Enter Pre-K...(*Vanity*)

Texas Education Agency ^ | 12 April 2006 | Texas Education Agency

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Texas Pre-Kindergarten Limited English Proficient (LEP) Pilot Program

The following applications have been preliminarily selected to receive a grant for the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pilot Program.

Revised 4/12/06 Contacts: Carlos Garza(Funding) Discretionary Grants Phone: (512) 463-9269 carlos.garza@tea.state.tx.us Roberto Manzo (Program) Office Education Initiatives Phone: (512) 936-6060 roberto.manzo@tea.state.tx.us

Program Description: The purpose of the Texas Pre-Kindergarten Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Pilot Program is:

To implement multi-age programs serving 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds that assure that English language learning children receive appropriate activities to enter school prepared to succeed. The pilot program must provide many opportunities for the acquisition of English, while supporting the child’s first language including social services, appropriate training and modeling, and research –based curricula and supplies to enhance the development of both languages. Instruction must be in both languages so children can learn concepts in the language they understand while developing their English skills. Programs must include bilingual education specialists and continued professional education to support the teachers.

Grant Period: March 15, 2006 – August 31, 2007.

List of Awardees:

Aldine ISD/Keeble EC/PK Prosper ISD VSA Arts of Texas McAllen ISD Little Elm ISD Santa Maria ISD Houston ISD/Energized for Excellence Academy, Inc.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

My niece...4 years old; American citizen born to American parents; English-speaking; child of taxpaying Americans.

According to the school administration, my niece must wait to learn if she will "make the cut" for pre-k this fall. No...it's not test scores nor any readiness evaluation that's holding them up. It will depend upon how many non-English-speaking children are enrolled for pre-k, as those children will be given the first slots.

I wonder how many children who are not American will be sitting in my niece's chair this fall.

Any thoughts?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Curriculum
-> Bilingual Education
--> English Language Proficiency Standards

---

The English language proficiency (ELP) standards contain the language skills that limited English proficient children in Texas are taught to ensure that they have the full opportunity to learn English and succeed academically. The ELP standards are part of the state-required curriculum, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). The ELP standards consist of the Spanish language arts TEKS (grades K-6) and the English as a second language TEKS (grades K-12).

The ELP standards include second language acquisition skills that enable limited English proficient students to become fluent in English. In order for these students to learn the academic English necessary for academic learning, their second language acquisition skills must be addressed in all their academic classes, whether they are learning mathematics, science, or other subjects. The ELP standards also include the language arts skills that all Texas students are required to be taught.

Helping limited English proficient students become fluent in English and academically successful is the shared responsibility of all teachers. Whether students are in bilingual classes or classes taught in English, their success in school depends on how well teachers meet both their language and academic needs. By combining language learning with quality instruction in mathematics, science, and social studies in grades K-12, teachers will ensure that English language learners achieve the knowledge and skills of the Texas curriculum and reach their full academic potential.

The ELP standards are contained in Chapter 128 of the Texas Administrative Code. To show the relationship between the TEKS for English language arts, Spanish language arts, and English as a second language, the State Board of Education voted to have these TEKS published in a side-by-side format. The side-by-side format shows the direct alignment of the language arts and English as a second language skills. The specific second language acquisition skills are listed at the end of the English as a second language column.

[nmh]

Insanity!

A back seat to Spanish speaking students when ENGLISH is the language of the land. Perhaps it's time to file some suit papers on discrimination?

[Onelifetogive]

...serving 3-, 4-, and 5-year olds... research –based curricula...

So three year olds are already faced with a publish-or-perish dilemma?

"Hey, Susie, put down those Polly Pockets, you have some lab results to document."

[Lurker]

Two words:

Homeschool.

L

[HitmanLV]

Any thoughts?

She will go as far in life as her dedication will allow. Good luck and don't sweat the small stuff (and it's almost all small stuff).

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Also from their website:

The figure below shows how communication skills in listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing are at the core of all academic learning. Teaching communication skills through appropriate special language instruction and effective content area instruction accelerates the learning of English and promotes the development of higher-order thinking skills. NOTE - If you have a browser for use by the visually impaired, please contact the TEA Curriculem Department to obtain the information conveyed in the graphical image.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Perhaps, the brilliant educators who envisioned this pilot program might use a dictionary in the future to ensure the correct spelling of "big words" like c-u-r-r-i-c-u-l-u-m.

[Balding_Eagle]

Life gives warnings of impending mis-steps.

Use this time to do a bit a reflection. The main question I think you should ask yourself is this:

Suppose your niece does get that classroom slot, are you sure you want her in a classroom that caters primarily to non-English speaking kids? That's what this waiting situation is telling you the classroom is going to be like.

My opinion, if you love your niece, you'll find something else for her.

[kinoxi]

unfortunately i cannot post them( my thoughts)here

[pepperdog]

I am still wondering why we have "Pre-K". Why are people so eager to make their children leave their homes while they are still practically babies? I remember when kindergarten wasn't required, and if your child attended it was really for "fun" rather than serious education. Are these additional two years of education producing improved graduates at the high school level?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

That was my first thought, and I'm not a fan of lawsuits. But wouldn't this warrant a civil lawsuit?

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Mine didn't attend daily pre-k. IMO, they were much better off at home.

My niece is in a rural area east of Williamson County.

[nmh]

I'd run it by a lawyer to see.

I know what you're saying but enough is enough. When it comes to being sued, then people usually straighten up.

I'd SERIOUSLY look into it.

[USNBandit]

I live in Nevada and my son is eligible for special ed due to Down's Syndrome. The "early childhood" class was made up of 20% significant delay/disabilities, 30% diagnosed speech delays, and 50% ESL (english as a second language).

[ItsForTheChildren]

Two words:

Homeschool.

Uh... two (2).. words?

[Desert_Girl]

My niece...4 years old; American citizen born to American parents; English-speaking; child of taxpaying Americans.

Your niece is lucky. If you are so concerned about her future and her education, maybe you should consider gifting her with a year or so of private pre-school.

Like it or not, children born in this country are entitled to an education, no matter what language their parents speak at home. I cannot believe that you would prefer these same children grow up to be unproductive welfare recipients.

Last time I checked, the U.S.A. does not have an official language, english or otherwise.

[luckystarmom]

Well, hispanics get first pick of the best schools in San Jose Unified.

[ccmay]

My wife started college as an education major, but quit in large part because of meaningless edu-babble like that. She also realized that her fellow el-ed majors (with a few exceptions, of course) were easily the academically weakest group of students on campus.

I say these two observations have some correlation. In many locales, the average parent is going to be smarter than the average teacher, so I think they use gibberish to mask this reality and intimidate parents. It's not like medical jargon or legalese that actually has a purpose and meaning. It's just smoke being blown by an insecure guild.

-ccm

[kinoxi]

they tend to bitch their way to the top evenly...