Supporting English Language Learners
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Joshua P. Starr has recommended a $2.4 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, which includes $103.6 million in additional spending. Most of this increase will simply allow MCPS to provide the same services to a growing number of students and fund ongoing salaries, benefits, and operational costs. Dr. Starr is recommending $8.2 million in strategic investments aimed at closing the achievement gap and preparing students for success in the 21st century. One of the areas of focus in Dr. Starr's budget is increasing services and support to the growing number of English language learners in MCPS.
A MULTIYEAR STRATEGY
This is the third year of a multiyear budgeting strategy that makes specific investments in areas that will allow MCPS to manage its continued growth; narrow, and ultimately close, achievement gaps; and foster innovation to prepare students for the future. Among the investments made to better serve English language learners over the past two years (FY 2014 and FY 2015) are—
- The addition of 30 positions to meet the needs of a growing number of students receiving English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services;
- The addition of more than 10 English language development teachers to help middle schools better meet the needs of English language learners who have begun learning English but are not fully demonstrating understanding in their classwork; and
- Expansion of the Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Support (METS) program to meet the linguistic and academic needs of English language learners whose formal education has been interrupted.
INCREASING SUPPORT TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Among the FY 2016 investments Dr. Starr is recommending to increase support to English language learners are—
- More than 41 positions to serve a growing number of students who need ESOL services;
- Funds ($36,032) to increase staff training in the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, a research-based model that helps meet the linguistic and academic needs of English language learners; and
- $85,268 to add 2 half-time translation positions, in order to translate more documents and important information into Spanish and Amharic, allowing non-English-speaking families to be more engaged in their children's learning.
GET INFORMED, STAY ENGAGED
You can learn more about the Superintendent's Recommended FY 2016 Operating Budget and how you can participate in the budget process by visiting the Budget website.