What is MLP?
MLP stands for Multilingual Learners Program. It is the term used for the program that identifies students who enter our school with limited English proficiency and provides services based on the linguistic and academic needs of those students. These students are identified as Multilingual Learners, or ML’s.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects our students from being discriminated against in their education. They cannot be denied equal educational opportunities regardless of their national origin, native language, or immigrant status.
This program also prepares students for academic success through its well-structured model and highly qualified teachers.
We offer the following benefits:
1. Identify and assess all students who’s native or home language is anything other than English.
2. Assess and monitor the academic progress of ML’s students in an ongoing process.
3. Offer a Bilingual Liaison in every school. The Bilingual Liaison supports ML parents with any questions or concerns regarding their child's education.
4. Organize ML Parent Nights to connect ML families with community resources.
5. Communicate instructional goals and expectations to parents and encourage them to support their children’s learning.
6. Build connections between ML students and teachers and other school-wide instructional programs.
7. Develop teachers’ skills to utilize effective ML research-based instructional practices.
If you have any questions or concerns about your child's academics or progress with English proficiency, or with the Multilingual Learners Program itself, please feel free to email Diana Dromsky, ML Program Coordinator or your student’s MLP teacher at HHIE.
How do we know which students are LEP (Limited Language Proficiency) and/or get MLP services?
Identification of LEP students cannot be made based on surface identifiers which could be construed as discriminatory. The only way for a student to be identified as a possible LEP student that must be tested with the Language proficiency screener is through the Home Language Survey. The Home Language Survey MUST be completed at registration for ALL new students to Beaufort County School District.
What is the Home Language Survey?
The Home Language Survey is a document completed by the student’s parent.
It asks:
· what language the native language of the child is
· what language is spoken most often by the student
· what language is spoken by the child at home
If any of these inquiries indicates a language other than English, the child will be screened for Language Proficiency Level and possibly be placed in the MLP program.
All students MUST complete the HLS upon initial registration. The HLS should not be included in any reregistration processes as the one (1) and only original HLS should be used to make decisions for the child. This document is crucial in complying with federal, state, and Office of Civil Rights mandates.
It is up to the MLP teacher to determine English Language Proficiency. If the student's parents indicate English as the primary language, the process is finished after the Survey is verified.
