English as a Second Language Program

  • It is the policy of the state that every student who has a primary language other than English and who is identified as an English learner shall be provided a full opportunity to participate in a bilingual education or English as a Second Language (ESL) program, as required in the Texas Education Code (TEC), Chapter 29, Subchapter B. At Uplift Education we provide an English as a Second Language Program for scholars who are learning English. We are a team of dedicated professionals who will work with you and your child to create a wonderful educational experience. As International Baccalaureate® (IB) schools, we are committed to supporting multilingualism as a fundamental part of increasing intercultural understanding and international-mindedness, and are equally committed to extending access to an IB education for students from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

    The goal of ESL programs is for English learners to obtain full proficiency in English in order to participate equitably in school. Our ESL program is an integral part of the total school instructional model. Our program uses instructional approaches designed to meet the specific language needs of English learners. The basic curriculum content of the programs is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills and the English language proficiency standards required by the state. Regardless of a scholars language proficiency classroom teachers implement second language acquisition strategies in all content areas.

  • Eligibility for English as a Second Language Program

    Uplift Education has the responsibility to follow the identification process outlined by the Texas Education Agency. The identification process starts when a language other than English is identified on the Home Language Survey. If your scholar is enrolling in a Texas public school for the first time they will be assessed for eligibility based on their language proficiency score. Once the scholar is identified notification will be sent home to the parent to request permission to support the scholar in our English as a Second Language Program. If your scholar has attended a Texas Public School, records will be obtained from the previous school your scholar attended and eligibility will be determined based on this information. If your scholars is identified as an English Learner they will be supported in the General Education classroom. The English as a Second Language instructional team is available to support your scholar if they are in need of additional linguistic supports.

    Scholars entering Pre-K 3 and Pre-K 4 who are identified as an English Learner are eligible to enter the Uplift Education Pre-Kindergarten program.

    TELPAS State Assessment for English Learners

    All identified English Learners, whether they participate in the ESL program or not, are assessed in the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS). TELPAS is administered every Spring. It measures the scholars language progress in listening, speaking, reading and writing. Using the STAAR/EOC assessments, TELPAS, and parent permission we determine if the scholar is academically and linguistically prepared to exit the program.