Multilingual Learners

Overview

The Lawrence Public Schools Multilingual Learner Department manages all programs for multilingual student education in our district: the English Learner Education program, the Dual Language Education program, and the World Languages Education program. The department’s goal is to ensure that all students in Lawrence develop advanced proficiency in both English and another language by the time they graduate. This department oversees initial English proficiency testing and the placement of ELs, English language development and content support, the annual assessment of English language proficiency, and the process of program exit and the post-exit monitoring of pertinent students. The department also oversees the implementation and expansion of the dual language program at the Arlington Elementary school, ensuring that students have access to rigorous curriculum and instruction in both English and Spanish. Lastly, the department oversees world languages programming at the high school level, including annual assessment towards the State Seal of Biliteracy.

In addition to supporting English as a Second Language (ESL), Dual Language, and Spanish teachers, the department facilitates professional learning for content teachers and paraprofessionals in regards to their Multilingual Learners. In addition, through Title III funding, the department supports expanded learning and summer programs for immigrants and MLs. Lastly, the department works with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and all LPS schools to ensure compliance with federal and state mandates regarding Multilingual Learner education.

 

Program Structure

Lawrence Public Schools has three programs of Multilingual Learner Education:

• English Learner Education Program
• Dual Language Education Program
• World Languages Education Program

The English Learner Education Program in Lawrence is Sheltered English Immersion (SEI), a model that consists of sheltered content instruction (SCI) as well as English as a second language instruction (ESL). The structure of the SEI program in Massachusetts acknowledges that English Learners acquire language while interacting in all classrooms as they engage with key academic practices, analytical skills, and conceptual development. In addition, the program understands that MLs must receive additional specific language and literacy instruction in order to reach desired levels of linguistic complexity.

The bilingual education program in Lawrence is a Spanish-English Dual Language Education (DLE) program designed to develop bilingualism, biliteracy, academic achievement, and sociocultural competence for all students. The program follows an additive bilingual model, which affirms and builds on students’ home language as a foundation for academic success and second language acquisition. DLE classrooms include both ELs whose first language is Spanish and English-dominant students who are learning Spanish as an additional language. Instruction is delivered in both Spanish and English, following a language allocation plan that supports systematic, sustained exposure to each language across content areas. This approach develops strong literacy and academic content knowledge in both languages over time.

The World Languages Program in Lawrence Public Schools provides students with the opportunity to develop proficiency in additional languages, with a current focus on Spanish instruction at the high school level. The program is designed to foster linguistic fluency, intercultural competence, and academic achievement, while preparing students to participate fully in a multilingual and globally connected world. Spanish courses are open to both World Language Learners, who are learning Spanish as a new language, and Heritage Language Learners, who have a background in Spanish through family or community exposure. Instruction is differentiated to meet the distinct needs of these two groups, recognizing the assets that heritage learners bring and the unique scaffolds new learners require. 

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Lawrence Public School’s program for Multilingual Learners is to provide quality instruction to MLs so they can acquire English language proficiency while having access to the core content by:

• Ensuring that instruction is scaffolded, modeled and differentiated.
• Promoting a culturally responsive classroom environment to facilitate learning and comfort.
• Enabling MLs to compete with their peers to attain college and career readiness standards.
• Providing systematic, explicit, and sustained instruction of English language and literacy.
  
  

Documents Requests

Need access to multilingual learner (ML) documents such as EL determination codes, ACCESS scores, or screening results? Click the link below to submit your request through our streamlined EL/ML Records Request Form.

EL/ML Code Request

 

Information for Families

• Benchmarks Executive Summary
• District English Learning Success Template
• English Language Education
• ELE Program Transfer Request
• State Seal of Biliteracy
• Sendas – Dual Language Program at the Arlington
   

English Learners Parent Advisory Council

ELPAC is a group for parents or guardian that work together to advise the schools and district on matters that impact English Learners (ELs).

• English Learner Parent Advisory Council information document
   

Information for Teachers

Please visit the ML Department's Google site for resources and information:

https://sites.google.com/lawrence.k12.ma.us/mldepartment/home