Schools
District 205 Responds to Parents' Concerns About Fischer School
Parents' concerns include racial tensions, out-of-district students and segregation. A parent Q & A forum is planned for June 25.
Elmhurst Unit District 205 has issued a formal response to Conrad Fischer Elementary School families, who have levied charges of segregation, loss of teachers and racial tensions at the school.
The six former and current parents of Fischer students spoke during public comment at the May 29 School Board meeting, but administrative policy prohibited board members from responding directly to public comment at the meeting.
Read about the meeting here: Parents Claim Racial Tensions and Segregation Affecting District 205
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The special report, titled "ELL Education at Conrad Fischer School," was sent to district parents via the Talk 205 newsletter on Friday, and is posted below in its entirety:
At the May 29, 2013 Board of Education meeting, six former and current parents of Conrad Fischer students spoke about concerns they had related to changes taking place at the school. In response to those concerns, the District 205 Board and administration are providing the following background information, as well as answers to the questions raised.
In 2009, following a Regional Office of Education audit, a district-wide committee was formed to begin addressing the English Language Learner (ELL) compliance requirements. Fischer Principal Jane Bailey was part of the original core team of this program development series. Coming out of this series, changes were implemented throughout the District, including at Fischer – where 11 teachers enrolled in course work so that eventually all primary teachers would have their English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. Another example can be found at the Madison Early Childhood Center, where all teachers are triple certified: regular education, special education and either ESL or Bilingual endorsed.
In February of 2010, a presentation of the plan, known as A Perfect Match, was presented to and accepted by the Board of Education. The changes implemented both this school year and for 2013-14 are part of that original plan, which is underwritten by the Illinois Resource Center, which provides an array of professional development and support services for teachers and administrators who serve linguistically and culturally diverse students.
It is important to understand that the law requires there be a bilingual teacher provided when an attendance center has 20 or more students speaking the same language (not English). Under these circumstances, students must be offered instruction in their first language. This is true at any of our schools, indeed for any public school in the State, as outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code, Part 228, Transitional Bilingual Education.
Teachers serving in bilingual programs must have the bilingual endorsement, which involves passing a State proficiency test in the target language and one additional methods course pertaining to the delivery of instruction in a language other than English. This is a higher certification requirement than an ESL endorsement. An ESL-endorsed teacher is not qualified to teach a student in his or her native language.
Compliance with the law is not optional. Our charter as a school district comes from the State of Illinois. Therefore, we are an arm of the Illinois State Board of Education and must be in compliance with all rules and regulations, school code and case law. The district receives both state and federal grant funding in which we ensure the ISBE that we are carrying out these programs. Any district accepting these funds is subject to these mandates. These funds are used at Conrad Fischer to provide instructional materials, parent support programs, and supplemental materials for students in the program.
There is ample Federal case law, dating back to 1974, which supports the rights of students to understand the language of instruction in a public school setting. In Illinois, the emphasis on bilingual instruction takes priority over other instructional concerns. There is strong evidence that even though students may sometimes do well in elementary school, even without bilingual instruction in their native language, they flounder academically in middle school and later years. The law provides that families may opt out of ELL services. While we don’t recommend it, because research shows that students will struggle, this is an opportunity that some families have availed themselves in the past.
There is a wealth of data that shows the model District 205 is following is in the best interest of these English Language Learners. While there will always be individual exceptions, these studies incorporate large sample sizes (thousands of students) and are, therefore, statistically valid.
In addition, the District 205 mission and vision statements are extremely clear:
Mission
The mission of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 is to meet the educational needs of all students, challenging each to his or her full potential and ensuring a foundation for future success in life.
Vision
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 will be a national leader in educating children of all backgrounds and ability levels, promoting high individual student achievement. The district will incorporate student-centered decision-making, the highest academic standards, best practices in education, the highest caliber educational professionals, and leading edge resources to ensure an equitable education for all and success in a global society.
District 205 is committed to meeting the needs of every learner, which is reflected in our key District Performance Indicators.
During the 2011-12 school year, as a District, key members of the ELL program participated in an analysis of laws, best practices and performance issues. With the changes taking place last school year and this coming year, the plan presented to the Board in February of 2010 (designed to meet ELL compliance issues across the District) will have been fully enacted. For the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that major staff changes will be required to maintain State compliance. Meetings for the families of students in the program were held at Conrad Fischer Elementary School.
In 2012-13, the District sponsored an ELL Forum (February 25) to discuss both the law and best practice, highlighting successful programs in neighboring districts, and also provided a guest column to the Elmhurst Press on English Language Learning in District 205 (posted at this link on the District website). Please also visit the ELL Resource page for information about District 205’s ELL program.
For the 2013-14 school year, the District will convene a team to further the study of ELL programming and make a recommendation to the Board about the long-term vision for the entire school district. Board Policy requires that the administration state the type of programming it is going to offer across the District.
The District 205 administration, along with the faculty and staff of Conrad Fischer School, are committed to providing the best possible instruction for all students. Teachers will be meeting over the summer to assure content integration for thematic instruction.
Recognizing that the law prioritizes academic achievement over social integration, we will also seek to identify opportunities for regular ongoing integration to the maximum extent possible. This may include team teaching and guided instruction to assure students are able to work with other students in their grade level on a regular basis.
The staff will also continue a discussion of school climate factors and the Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) which all District 205 elementary and middle schools encourage through the CHAMPS model.
Both the District and Fischer administration are committed to on-going communication with parents. To that end, a Parent Q & A Forum has been planned for the evening of Tuesday, June 25 at Conrad Fischer School. More details will follow via Talk205.
Please click this link to access ELL Myths and Facts, posted on the ELL Resources page of the District 205 website.
At the May 29, 2013 Board of Education meeting, six former and current parents of Conrad Fischer students spoke about concerns they had related to changes taking place at the school. In response to those concerns, the District 205 Board and administration are providing the following background information, as well as answers to the questions raised.
In 2009, following a Regional Office of Education audit, a district-wide committee was formed to begin addressing the English Language Learner (ELL) compliance requirements. Fischer Principal Jane Bailey was part of the original core team of this program development series. Coming out of this series, changes were implemented throughout the District, including at Fischer – where 11 teachers enrolled in course work so that eventually all primary teachers would have their English as a Second Language (ESL) endorsement. Another example can be found at the Madison Early Childhood Center, where all teachers are triple certified: regular education, special education and either ESL or Bilingual endorsed.
In February of 2010, a presentation of the plan, known as A Perfect Match, was presented to and accepted by the Board of Education. The changes implemented both this school year and for 2013-14 are part of that original plan, which is underwritten by the Illinois Resource Center, which provides an array of professional development and support services for teachers and administrators who serve linguistically and culturally diverse students.
It is important to understand that the law requires there be a bilingual teacher provided when an attendance center has 20 or more students speaking the same language (not English). Under these circumstances, students must be offered instruction in their first language. This is true at any of our schools, indeed for any public school in the State, as outlined in the Illinois Administrative Code, Part 228, Transitional Bilingual Education.
Teachers serving in bilingual programs must have the bilingual endorsement, which involves passing a State proficiency test in the target language and one additional methods course pertaining to the delivery of instruction in a language other than English. This is a higher certification requirement than an ESL endorsement. An ESL-endorsed teacher is not qualified to teach a student in his or her native language.
Compliance with the law is not optional. Our charter as a school district comes from the State of Illinois. Therefore, we are an arm of the Illinois State Board of Education and must be in compliance with all rules and regulations, school code and case law. The district receives both state and federal grant funding in which we ensure the ISBE that we are carrying out these programs. Any district accepting these funds is subject to these mandates. These funds are used at Conrad Fischer to provide instructional materials, parent support programs, and supplemental materials for students in the program.
There is ample Federal case law, dating back to 1974, which supports the rights of students to understand the language of instruction in a public school setting. In Illinois, the emphasis on bilingual instruction takes priority over other instructional concerns. There is strong evidence that even though students may sometimes do well in elementary school, even without bilingual instruction in their native language, they flounder academically in middle school and later years. The law provides that families may opt out of ELL services. While we don’t recommend it, because research shows that students will struggle, this is an opportunity that some families have availed themselves in the past.
There is a wealth of data that shows the model District 205 is following is in the best interest of these English Language Learners. While there will always be individual exceptions, these studies incorporate large sample sizes (thousands of students) and are, therefore, statistically valid.
In addition, the District 205 mission and vision statements are extremely clear:
Mission
The mission of Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 is to meet the educational needs of all students, challenging each to his or her full potential and ensuring a foundation for future success in life.
Vision
Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 will be a national leader in educating children of all backgrounds and ability levels, promoting high individual student achievement. The district will incorporate student-centered decision-making, the highest academic standards, best practices in education, the highest caliber educational professionals, and leading edge resources to ensure an equitable education for all and success in a global society.
District 205 is committed to meeting the needs of every learner, which is reflected in our key District Performance Indicators.
During the 2011-12 school year, as a District, key members of the ELL program participated in an analysis of laws, best practices and performance issues. With the changes taking place last school year and this coming year, the plan presented to the Board in February of 2010 (designed to meet ELL compliance issues across the District) will have been fully enacted. For the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that major staff changes will be required to maintain State compliance. Meetings for the families of students in the program were held at Conrad Fischer Elementary School.
In 2012-13, the District sponsored an ELL Forum (February 25) to discuss both the law and best practice, highlighting successful programs in neighboring districts, and also provided a guest column to the Elmhurst Press on English Language Learning in District 205 (posted at this link on the District website). Please also visit the ELL Resource page for information about District 205’s ELL program.
For the 2013-14 school year, the District will convene a team to further the study of ELL programming and make a recommendation to the Board about the long-term vision for the entire school district. Board Policy requires that the administration state the type of programming it is going to offer across the District.
The District 205 administration, along with the faculty and staff of Conrad Fischer School, are committed to providing the best possible instruction for all students. Teachers will be meeting over the summer to assure content integration for thematic instruction.
Recognizing that the law prioritizes academic achievement over social integration, we will also seek to identify opportunities for regular ongoing integration to the maximum extent possible. This may include team teaching and guided instruction to assure students are able to work with other students in their grade level on a regular basis.
The staff will also continue a discussion of school climate factors and the Positive Behavior Intervention Strategies (PBIS) which all District 205 elementary and middle schools encourage through the CHAMPS model.
Both the District and Fischer administration are committed to on-going communication with parents. To that end, a Parent Q & A Forum has been planned for the evening of Tuesday, June 25 at Conrad Fischer School. More details will follow via Talk205.
Please click this link to access ELL Myths and Facts, posted on the ELL Resources page of the District 205 website.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here
